Canadian Veterans Shafted with Closed Centers

Political Firestorm Could Impact Conservatives
Veterans Affairs Firestorm Not Slowing
NetNewsLedger
by James Murray
Posted 31 January 2014

THUNDER BAY - The federal Conservatives are being accused of being driven only by ideology.

Dan Harris, an Ontario NDP MP states, “This week’s unfortunate events involving the Minister of Veterans Affairs and tomorrow’s closing of veterans’ centres exposes the soft underbelly of this government beast, a government ruled by uncaring ideology instead of good public policy”.

The closure today of Veterans Affairs offices, including the office in Thunder Bay will, unless their is a last-minute change of heart from the Conservatives will be in effect by the end of the day.

The move has generated anger and frustration both inside the House of Commons, and with veterans. It also has had the Conservatives blaming veterans and accusing them of being driven by political ideology as well.

Politically for the Conservatives, in effect, this week has worked on a potential erosion of their core support with seniors, and with veterans.

For the Government, coming on the heels of the ‘Senate Scandal’ to have the issue of ignoring the needs of veterans, it is almost as if the Conservatives can’t get a break.

Green Party MP Bruce Hyer states, “The office in Thunder Bay will be closed on Friday, and 10 jobs will be lost. Thunder Bay has already experienced drastic cuts to Service Canada. With the huge overload of people who have been cut off EI, my staff is doing the work of Service Canada.

“Veterans from World War II, the Korean War, Bosnia and Afghanistan, many of whom have post-traumatic stress disorder, will not have any services unless they drive a full day to North Bay or Winnipeg, go on the Internet, albeit many do not have a computer, or get stuck on a 1-800 number for hours or more”.
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