Liberals are working today on Parliament Hill by hosting a forum that focuses on how government can better aid and support Canadian veterans and their families.
“Veterans are the heroes of our nation,” said Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff. “They put their mind, body and heart on the line for the freedom and democracy we enjoy today. We owe it to them to listen to their concerns and come up with strategies to get them with the aid and support they and their families deserve when they return from active duty.”
The roundtable will hear from experts representing veterans associations, mental health research and occupational therapy, to focus on the New Veterans Charter, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Afghanistan war vets. Liberal Senator Romeo Dallaire will also give the keynote address to discuss challenges facing modern-day veterans and their families.
Liberal Veterans Affairs Critic Robert Oliphant said it’s important to hear directly from veterans about the issues that affect them and their families and what governments can do to address those issues.
“Canadians need a new conversation about the care and compassion of the men and women who put their lives on the line for the safety of Canadians and the future of democracy around the world,” said Mr. Oliphant. “This roundtable will allow us to work together on ideas that will guide the needs of veterans for the years to come.”
Mr. Oliphant said the Charter – implemented in 2006 with a promise by the Harper government that it would be regularly reviewed – is not meeting the needs of today’s veterans and their loved ones.
“Veterans groups that signed on to the Charter did so with the understanding that it would evolve when necessary to meet the standards and demands of our modern Veterans – but this has not happened.”
Roundtable participants will watch a videotaped presentation of a mother of a wounded soldier, Francine Matteau. Along with her son, she is mounting a case against the New Veterans Charter, claiming he would have received better financial compensation under the old charter.
“The fight Mrs. Matteau is leading is just one example of how the Charter is not working for our veterans,” said Mr. Oliphant.
