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Harper Stands Up for Veterans

December 28, 2005

VICTORIA – Conservative leader Stephen Harper today announced that a new Conservative government will enact a Veterans’ Bill of Rights enforced by an independent Veterans’ Ombudsman, who will recognize the contribution of our Aboriginal veterans, reform the Department of Veterans Affairs, and treat our veterans with the respect they deserve.

“All too often we hear stories of veterans who are ignored or disrespected by government,” Mr. Harper said. “What a shameful way to treat men and women who risked their lives to defend Canada. This shame will end with the election of a new government.”

The Veterans’ Bill of Rights will require that veterans be treated with respect, and that any disputes be handled quickly, fairly and with the presumption in favour of the rights of the veteran. In cooperation with the Royal Canadian Legion and other veterans’ organizations, an independent Veterans’ Ombudsman will be appointed to enforce and uphold the bill.

We will fix the Veterans’ Review and Appeal Board – which has been tainted by Liberal patronage – by appointing qualified medical, military and veteran members who are capable of adjudicating appeals on an informed basis rather than on a political basis.

Other elements of the plan to stand up for our veterans include the following:

 

Recognizing the contributions of Aboriginal veterans, and redressing 60 years of inequity by implementing the April 6th, 2005, resolution of the House of Commons to acknowledge the historic inequality of treatment and compensation for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit war veterans, and taking action immediately to give real compensation to these veterans in a way that truly respects their service and sacrifice, and;

Conducting a complete review of veterans’ health care services to ensure they meet the needs of our veterans.

A new Conservative government will also ensure that our older veterans receive the support they need and have the financial resources to live in comfort during their retired years. The Conservative Party’s ‘Canada First’ defence policy will also be of assistance.

“There is no better way to honour the legacy left by our veterans than to give the men and women in today’s army, navy, and air force the recognition and support they deserve,” Mr. Harper said. “Our veterans fought for us in two World Wars and in global conflicts right up to the present day, and they have stood up for freedom since the birth of our nation. We owe them nothing less than a Veterans Affairs department that responds to their needs and a federal government that treats them with dignity and respect.”

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