Troops in Kabul welcome Ottawa's tax break for soldiers on high-risk missions

Les Perreaux, Canadian Press, 24 Mar 04

(CP) - Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan woke up Wednesday to the happy news they will get a tax break worth thousands of dollars, but they could only express their glee under cover of anonymity because of a gag order imposed from Ottawa.

Under new rules announced in the budget Tuesday, soldiers and police officers will no longer pay taxes on money they earn while deployed on high-risk international missions like the security operation in Afghanistan. "This really is something special, to hear this now," said one soldier who agreed to talk, like many, but only if his name would not be used.

"You know, nobody becomes a soldier to get rich. There really is almost an aspect of voluntary service to what we do. But it's nice to be appreciated like that."

In Kabul, the 2,037 soldiers who will enjoy extra cash from the measure - estimated to range from $4,600 to $7,900 for a six-month tour - were under orders from the Department of National Defence to be quiet about it.

Some soldiers said the order was to prevent troops from upstaging Prime Minister Paul Martin's government as it sells the budget plan. Some believed the rule was intended to allow the official interpretation of the budget to filter down through the ranks.

Still others suggested it was a normal military procedure to give the highest ranking defence officials, Defence Minister David Pratt and Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Ray Henault, a chance to talk first.

A spokesman at Camp Julien referred an interview request to headquarters in Ottawa.

A Defence Department spokeswoman contacted by telephone in Ottawa was unable to say specifically whether soldiers had been ordered not to discuss the issue.

However, the navy Lieut. Diane Grover said the department was only just learning the details itself "so it's going to take us time to decide, to evaluate what this budget means."

"The other thing . . . is that we have not really decided specifically which missions this will apply to."

"Obviously it is very major morale issue for our soldiers particularly those who are deployed, so we are going to be expediting (a decision on) that as soon as we can," Grover said.

One infantryman who is part of the 3rd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment Brigade Group, said he could see why the department might want to keep a lid on things initially.

"You can see the point that they want the facts to be straight. But it's also to give the minister of defence his time in the sun. It's politics, but this is how it works."

Indeed rumours swirled through Camp Julien, the main Canadian base, as soldiers awoke to the news Wednesday morning. Some soldiers were mesmerized by the mistaken idea they would be reimbursed thousands of dollars for past tours.

The tax break only goes back to Jan. 1, giving thousands of dollars to soldiers currently serving, but only a fraction of that to members of the Royal Canadian Regiment who left in February after building Camp Julien and living there before hot running water and fresh warm meals became the norm. Three RCR soldiers also died during the regiment's'six months in Afghanistan.

Soldiers in Afghanistan already qualify for tax-free deployment and danger bonuses that total from $1,750 to $2,500 a month, depending on experience.

Some soldiers questioned why the tax break will only apply to certain dangerous missions while different rules apply to civilians when they live outside of Canada.

Under the plan, soldiers in Afghanistan will get the tax break while about 900 serving in Bosnia, where the mission is winding down, will not.

"That sucks," said one soldier at Camp Julien. "But at least it's a start. Hopefully it will grow from there."

One lower-ranking soldier said the troops are only starting to get what they deserve.

"For years we've been asking to get the same kind of treatment as a civilian," said the corporal with the Royal 22nd Regiment.

"Why should we be any different? It's still not exactly equal treatment. But I'm happy with it."

Still, most soldiers were thrilled at the prospect of the paydays ahead.

"I'm thinking about taking out a Liberal party membership," said one senior officer. "Some of the guys refuse to believe it."

The new measure will cost Ottawa $30 million, according to the government.