Ottawa failing to support soldiers' families: military ombudsman

Ottawa failing to support soldiers' families: military ombudsman
Last Updated: Friday, January 4, 2008 9:35 PM ET
CBC News
The outgoing military ombudsman is criticizing Ottawa for failing to provide adequate support to families of fallen and injured soldiers, especially those with post-traumatic stress disorder.

In an exclusive interview with CBC News, Yves Côté said his office has dealt with many families who complain of too few answers after a death in Afghanistan or little help after loved ones return home with mental health problems.

"All too often, the system is just 'we'll come to you when we come to you'," Côté said. "Just take the time to show you have a heart as an organization and care about people."

Côté, who has served as ombudsman since 2005 and is now switching gears to become the associate deputy minister of justice, has condemned the military in the past for its relations with soldiers' families.

On Friday, his last day on the job, he said there has been little improvement.

"These people do suffer a lot, and sometimes they tend to be forgotten ... It is our high moral job to look after them and to make sure the right thing is done for them by the government of Canada," he said.
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