For the love of God, please help us!

This has been a bad week. I thought I could keep it together until the end, but I can’t. The Judicial Review will go ahead but there has been a significant cost for this CF Family. Let me explain.

I took some time at lunch today to go to the cenotaph, being just short of D-day.  I noticed on the back there is an inscription which reads:

“In the city archives are treasured the names of thirteen hundred and sixty men and women whose sacrifice is perpetuated by this memorial”. So, I wandered across the grand parade to city hall. I asked if I could view these treasured names. “Sorry sir, we cannot locate them, but if you leave your name and contact information…”

I just wanted to know what I was fighting for. I guess I found my answer.

The whole Home Equity Assistance fight was about getting what we were entitled to under the law, about accountability, doing what is right and looking out for our families and our troops. This isn’t a handout, it is holding the government accountable for their promise to reimburse equity loss. It takes a good deal for a family of 7 to recoup, $73,000.  Actually, it cannot be done, I am a witness to that.

3 and a half years have passed. Nothing. No movement, no help and only the smallest of interest from my fellow Canadians (which is greatly appreciated). While the help was not enough, I spent the rest of my lunch contemplating my next move. I knew what it was, I had them on the other side of the counter before, but I had never gone through with it.

I took my two most prized possessions – my wedding band and my Medals. Sold them both.

I have said good bye to my wife as we cannot remain together while this is going on. The fighting and stress used to be unbearable, until this weekend when I realized that I was the problem. I have spent so much on trying to resolve this, that I have neglected my family.  I can’t begin to explain the pressure, fortunately, God did not give me the strength to commit suicide.

So this is my plea. I have done everything that has been asked of me by my country, and it has cost me my family, my mind, our children’s future…everything which I went to war for.

I do thank those who tried to help, but even the powerful have bosses. 

I ask, most humbly for forgiveness to those I hurt; my family, my friends, my peers. 

As for me, there is nothing left. I am a shell of a man who has fought a good fight, but until this week did not know defeat. I did the right thing, I stayed within the lines, it cost me everything.

From: dnd_mdn@forces.gc.ca [mailto:dnd_mdn@forces.gc.ca]
Sent: December-05-12 11:55 AM
To: Chisholm, Robert – Riding 1A
Subject: RE: Marcus Brauer and the Home Equity Assistance Program

Dear Mr. Chisholm:

Thank you for your correspondence of September 13, 2012, on behalf of Major Marcus Brauer, concerning the Home Equity Assistance (HEA) benefit and the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) review of Bon Accord market for the period between 2007 and 2010.

On June 22, 2012, an email communication between the Director Compensation and Benefits Administration (DCBA) and TBS staff confirmed that decisions on HEA reviews could soon be expected. The TBS decision letter on the market assessment for Bon Accord, a protected letter addressed to DCBA dated July 17, 2012, was received by DCBA on July 23, 2012. On July 30, 2012, DCBA informed Major Brauer of the TBS decision via email and included a copy of the TBS protected letter dated July 17, 2012. The TBS decision stated that Bon Accord, Alberta (which is included within the Greater Edmonton Area) was not deemed to be a depressed market for the period of 2007 to 2010, and, therefore, Major Brauer’s request for 100 percent reimbursement of the loss on the sale of his residence in Bon Accord was denied.

I am confident that throughout this process the Department of National Defence ensured Treasury Board approved policies and procedures were respected at all times. With respect to your request that I engage Minister Tony Clement to ensure fair and equitable treatment for Major Brauer and other members in similar situations, I can assure you that DCBA has liaised with TBS staff ensuring each and every file has been dealt with using the utmost professionalism, empathy, and due diligence
All our members have received and continue to receive fair and equitable treatment.

I trust this information is helpful, and thank you again for writing.

Sincerely,

Peter MacKay
Minister of National Defence