Department officials admitted in the documents that they didn’t know how Bertram’s private banking information was provided to another soldier without her permission. Bertram has been told that, if she cannot make the repayment outright, her military pension will be docked monthly until the full amount is repaid. The soldier said she was now trying to find out about a process called remission — a legal mechanism that can be used to cancel or waive a government-imposed debt. So far, she said, she has had
little luck in determining the next steps. The ongoing dispute has contributed to further stress as she tries to recover from her military-induced PTSD, Bertram added. DND hasn’t apologized for providing Bertram’s banking information to another military member. Department spokesperson Nick Drescher Brown stated in an email that the DND couldn’t discuss Bertram’s case because of federal privacy rules. Asked if the Canadian Forces or the department would be offering help to Bertram in regards to paying the money back, Drescher Brown noted in the
email that, “Any recovery actions are carried out pursuant to applicable legislative authorities and in accordance with established policy. Where repayment is required, arrangements may be established through the appropriate administrative processes to support a manageable and structured approach.” Asked about the remission process, Drescher Brown stated that ”remission is an extraordinary measure considered under the Financial Administration Act and assessed on a case-by-case basis against established criteria, including whether recovery would be unreasonable or unjust, or whether remission would be in the public interest.”
David Pugliese is an award-winning journalist covering Canadian Forces and military issues in Canada. To support his work, including exclusive content for subscribers only, sign up here: ottawacitizen.com/subscribe
Department of National Defence, DND, Bertram, Afghan war veteran, repayment, benefits, pension docked, remission, Financial Administration Act, federal privacy rules, PTSD
So they took her money and won’t even say sorry? Sounds like a scam.
Wait, “banking data shared” like someone hacked her account in the military? If it’s not her fault then why dock her pension anyway. Seems backwards.
I don’t get the remission part. Like she should just ask for a waiver and they have to say yes? Also PTSD is already stressful, can they really be like “pay it back monthly” while she’s dealing with that.
Federal privacy rules but they literally shared her banking info with another soldier… so which one is it? They’re saying they can’t discuss but then they admit they don’t even know how it got sent? That’s wild. Also pensions docking monthly sounds like they’re punishing her for their mess up, classic government thing. Shouldn’t she just sue or file a complaint and it all goes away? remission sounds like a “special favor” thing anyway.