For Release Nov 02, 2017

Ministers of Veterans Affairs have to deal with a lot of pressure. In the short time they hold the position they fail in knowing the file to the extent of understanding the real needs that have to be addressed in the proper sequence, therefore, they rely on the bureaucrats to do the work on the file, where as the Minister signs off on what the bureaucrats bring forward. The Ministers rarely go against the wishes of the bureaucrats simply because they don't hold enough knowledge on the file, and know very little on what exactly the bureaucrats are presenting. Thus this ends only one way, the bureaucrats run the file. Holding or attending meetings with a Minister is not really proactive in accomplishing positive change, it will certainly accomplish putting the Minister and their staff in their place, but that's where it ends, simply because it is the bureaucrats that runs the file. Back to the Minister and the pressure placed upon them, as time goes on, more and more are becoming aware of the way the Veterans file is being run, they see how useless the Ministers are in their own position, but it is the Ministers who have to answer to Veterans, the Media and the general public on issues that don't sit well, and don't make a lot of sense. Therefore, the pressure will always be on the Minister. I'm wondering knowing Seamus past, why he would have been chosen for that position? I'm also wondering why with all of the negativity against both the past and present government on the Veterans file, the PM cannot fill this particular position, (Veterans Affairs Minister) with a sound and stable individual?