The House of Commons approved a bill Tuesday offering improved benefits for military veterans after Canada's political leaders hammered out a deal to fast-track the $1-billion package.

The legislation to create a new Veterans charter swept through the House on a unanimous voice vote.

With all-party consent backing the bill, it is expected to receive quick approval at the Senate before the end of this week. It will come into effect next April.

The plan offers: rehabilitation services, health benefits, job placement assistance, financial support, and disability awards for former members of the military.

Late Monday, Canada's political leaders agreed on a deal on the flight home from the Netherlands to fast-track the package through the House of Commons.

Prime Minister Paul Martin and the opposition leaders had spent the day sniping at each other, after being criticized by war veterans for arriving after a parade in Canada's honour in Apeldoorn.

But during the plane ride back to Ottawa from Amsterdam, NDP Leader Jack Layton disappeared into the prime minister's private quarters, CTV's Rosemary Thompson told Canada AM Tuesday.

About half an hour later, Layton came out to bring back Conservative Leader Stephen Harper and Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe.

Not long after all the leaders met, they emerged from the cabin and announced they had agreed to a benefits package that would help veterans -- particularly those who are disabled -- better reintegrate into civilian life after leaving the service.

"We've put ourselves in the shoes of the veterans and we've said 'How can we improve their lives and their lot?'," said Veteran Affairs Minister Albina Guarnieri, who also met with the leaders aboard the plane.

"Not just for themselves but for their family. So it's a very comprehensive package."

On Tuesday, Guarnieri rose in the Commons and moved for unanimous approval.

"There is strong consensus among political parties and veterans' organizations for progressive legislation to give practical meaning to long overdue service and program reforms for those who served in Canada's Armed Forces," she said.

"I commend my colleagues in the House of Commons for coming together to provide for a healthy, productive, and independent future for Canada's veterans and their families."

Retired lieutenant general and newly appointed Romeo Dallaire said he is committed to directing the legislation through the Upper House.

"I am deeply committed to the new veterans charter and am confident that my colleagues will closely work with me to ensure this important social contract between veterans and fellow Canadians is enacted as effectively as possible," Dallaire said.

The package would impact thousands of veterans. However, it would have no bearing on men and women who served in the Second World War.

While this deal makes it appear as if the leaders are getting along, Thompson said it actually shows the opposite.

"I think the party leaders were quite embarrassed actually at the end of the day that they were fighting with each other so much and not looking at the bigger picture of what they should be doing for Canadians," Thompson told CTV's Canada AM.

"In yesterday's case, it was the veterans."

Martin had been scheduled to attend a parade in Apeldoorn on Sunday, in which 200,000 Dutch came out to honour Canadian war veterans who helped liberate their country.

But the PM ended up sending Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson in his place, fearing a motion of non-confidence would be passed while he was away.

This angered many Canadian veterans, and in a rare show of unity, Martin and the opposition leaders agreed to travel to the Netherlands on Monday.

It was too little, too late for many veterans, who complained that domestic politics were getting in the way of paying proper respects to the 60th anniversary of the end of the war in Europe.

Martin said Monday he regretted the decision not to come sooner, while Harper and Duceppe sided with the veterans in criticizing the PM. Layton said all four leaders failed to call a truce when it mattered.

With files from The Canadian Press