Colin Carrie forgets what Harper government did to veterans

by **Alpha** Fri 30 Mar 2018, 8:19 am

OPINION

March 29, 2018

To the editor:

Re: Veterans deserve better treatment from Justin Trudeau, letter, Feb. 27

https://www.durhamregion.com/opinion-story/8288641-veterans-deserve-better-treatment-from-justin-trudeau/

I wonder that Colin Carrie's tongue does not burn a hole in his cheek with regards to his letter.

This from a member of the Harper "Conservative" government that:

1. Did not spend even the inadequate amount budgeted for veterans.

2. Cut Veteran's Affairs staff by 25 per cent even though the needs were growing due to returning troops from Afghanistan.

3. Failed to properly maintain war graves in Europe.

4. Ignored the problem of PTSD in returning veterans from Afghanistan. A problem so severe that there were more deaths by suicide than had been suffered in the actual combat.

5. Closed some Veteran's Affairs offices at a time of need for more.

Is there no depth these latter-day Conservatives will not stoop to? No end to the lying and the downgrading of the welfare of the whole people and not just veterans. Possibly the most remote government from the people — the most careless of its welfare, in Canadian history — certainly the most untruthful, and a long "serving" (euphemistically) member daring to criticize the present government that has at least restored some services.

John Peate

Courtice

https://www.durhamregion.com/opinion-story/8363993-colin-carrie-forgets-what-harper-government-did-to-veterans/

by **Alpha** Fri 30 Mar 2018, 8:48 am

OPINION

March 29, 2018

To the editor:

Re: Veterans deserve better treatment from Justin Trudeau, letter, Feb. 27

https://www.durhamregion.com/opinion-story/8288641-veterans-deserve-better-treatment-from-justin-trudeau/

Lately, Conservative MPs have been talking a lot about respect for Canada’s veterans. In fact, the MP for Oshawa recently published something in this paper on the topic. However, we mustn’t forget how the previous Harper government failed Canada’s veterans. They closed nine Veterans Affairs service offices and fired more than 1,200 staff who worked to support our veterans.

We, on the other hand, reopened nine Veterans Affairs offices, added an additional new one in Surrey, B.C., and set up a mobile office for northern Canada.

We hired more than 460 new staff and invested $10 billion to reintroduce much needed services for veterans.

We recently announced Pension for Life, which offers up to $2,650 a month tax-free for those ill and injured. As well, veterans can receive 90 per cent of their prerelease salary on top of that if they are unable to work.

Our new Education and Training Benefit gives veterans up to $80,000 for university or college education. Funding is also available for non post-secondary career and personal development courses.

We’ve improved career transition programs, to help veterans find work following their service.

Veterans need the support of their families to succeed. We understand this, and have expanded access to military family resource centres that provide services including parenting workshops, child care, and employment and educational assistance.

We introduced a Caregiver Recognition Benefit that provides $1,000 a month, tax-free, to caregivers of ill and injured veterans.

For veterans who find themselves urgently in need, we have introduced the Veteran Emergency Fund. This will provide timely support to veterans and their families experiencing difficult situations.

Our veterans need us to take action.

We have committed to this, and will keep doing more.

Celina Caesar-Chavannes

Member of Parliament for Whitby

https://www.durhamregion.com/opinion-story/8363820-actions-speak-louder-than-words-for-veterans/

Colin Carrie forgets what Harper government did to veterans

Colin Carrie forgets what Harper government did to veterans

Re: Colin Carrie forgets what Harper government did to veterans