A victory for veterans across Canada

On November 6, the NDP motion calling on the Liberal government to reallocate the hundreds of millions of dollars in lapsed funding to improve services and benefits for Canadian veterans, passed the House of Commons with all-party support. “Today is who have not been getting the respect or the services they deserve,” said NDP MP Anne Minh-Thu Quach. “As we remember their sacrifices, it is not normal that I received complaints from members of our local legions about the number of hours they have to wait. You can count on the NDP to continue to push this government to deliver the services and benefits veterans deserve.” Stephen Harper's Conservative government made massive cuts in veterans' services and benefits. The Liberal government has been unable to spend the budgeted amounts for veterans while at the same time their own reporting shows they are failing to meet half of the 24 service standards for veterans. In the 2016 budget year Liberals underspent $80.9 million for Veterans Affairs, in 2017 they left $143 million on the table, and in 2018 budget year they let $148.6 million in spending lapse. “Now that this NDP motion has passed with overwhelming support, we’ve forced the government to commit to spend all allocated funds for veterans to improve much-needed services,” said Quach. “But there’s more to do. Just last week, a class action lawsuit was filed against the federal government because they failed to support veterans who are being treated at Ste. Anne's Hospital. With the transfer to the Province organized by the Liberals, they no longer have access to the care they need and they are sorely lacking caregivers. This, on top of the fact that Liberals are trying to reduce pension benefits to some veterans. Canada’s Veterans deserve better.” (Press release)