Canadian soldier's suicide subject of major hearing

Canadian soldier’s suicide should spur change, lawyer argues
Published on Wednesday January 09, 2013
Stephanie Levitz
The Canadian Press

OTTAWA—The pain and suffering endured by the family of an Edmonton soldier who killed himself should be used a springboard for systemic changes to the treatment of veterans and their loved ones, the family’s lawyer said Wednesday.

The investigation into the 2008 suicide of Cpl. Stuart Langridge was handled in an inept and inexperienced manner, retired colonel Michel Drapeau told the Military Police Complaints Commission hearing.

“It has created an extra layer of pain and turmoil that was preventable and correctable, had a modicum of transparency, accountability and basic compassion been displayed from senior military leaders,” Drapeau said.

After eight months of work and 92 witnesses, the hearing was on its final day Wednesday, with Drapeau and lawyers for the government pressing their case for a final time.

Langridge, a veteran of Afghanistan and Bosnia, hanged himself in March 2008 after being ordered back to base following treatment for drug and alcohol addiction in a civilian hospital.

His family contends the military treated him as a malcontent, and that helped drive him over the edge.

Langridge’s reasons for taking his own life aren’t for the hearing to decide, said Drapeau. What matters, he argued, is how the investigation was carried out.
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