In October 2013, New Beauty Institute celebrated their 10th year anniversary. As part of this celebration, Caree held a fundraiser to support the Equitas Society, a local, non-profit organization formed in 2011 to support disabled soldiers returning from the Afghanistan war. These soldiers had their disability benefits dramatically reduced in 2006 under the New Veterans Charter.
Equitas Society, which is based in White Rock, is providing the legal disbursement funds for these disabled soldiers to challenge the reduction of their benefits in the court system.
Caree’s younger brother, Kevin, was injured in Afghanistan in a non-combat incident in February 2012, while serving for the Canadian armed forces; the important work done by the Equitas Society and the soldiers they are helping is an issue that is near and dear to Caree’s heart.
At the Equitas Fundraising Dinner, at Hazelmere Golf and Country club, Friday, October 18, 2013, Caree donated $1000.00 from New Beauty to the Equitas Society. The picture to the right is of Caree and Jim Scott President of The Equitas Society.
Equitas Society – Our Mission
The Core Issue:
Canada had a long history of supporting our disabled soldiers by various long term pension and support programs provided by Veteran Affairs Canada. However, with the introduction of the New Veterans Charter in 2006, all Canadian soldiers who now make an application for disability benefits are awarded primarily a one-time payment with some disabled soldiers receiving various income guarantee funding. The total of all their benefits under the New Veterans Charter is significantly less than those benefits provided by the previous Veteran Affairs Canada Pension Act, or other compensation programs throughout Canada or by the Courts for one-time lump sum disability payments (eg: car accident). Right now we are not treating our disabled soldiers equally to other workers “disabled on the job,” or soldiers who have been disabled prior to 2006 with benefits under the Pension Act. In fact, disabled soldiers with settlements under the New Veterans Charter are being targeted and are being discriminated against.