Veteran describes confrontational dealings to Veterans Affairs critic

Just a friendly flash from the past.
They blame us for their failed system?
Elections are coming soon and if we all do our part, a winner will come out on top.
What winner do you want?
When both parties are in bed with the upper 1% and the ones below the upper egos are kissing arses, trying to move their way up to the top (peons that are willing to put politics before self and real common sense).
Who makes campaign promises and bluntly breaks them or doesn't implement at all?

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/politics/veterans-affairs-alleges-some-ex-soldiers-exaggerating-their-injuries

The leader of the free world would not lie to its own people.

Veteran describes confrontational dealings to Veterans Affairs critic

CATHERINE GRIWKOWSKY

Published on: July 26, 2017 | Last Updated: July 26, 2017 8:29 PM MDT


MP John Brassard, the Opposition critic for Veterans Affairs and the Department of National Defence, met with Canadian Forces veterans at the Norwood Legion in Edmonton on Wednesday, July 26, 2017.

Veterans need more help transitioning out of the military and communicating with the Department of National Defence and Veterans Affairs Canada, a Conservative critic said at a meeting Wednesday in Edmonton.

About a dozen veterans met with John Brassard, the Opposition critic for veterans affairs, and Edmonton-Griesbach MP Kerry Diotte at the Norwood Legion.

Kris Barker served for 12 years with the 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.

He said there is a disconnect between veterans, Veterans Affairs Canada and the Department of National Defence.

“There has to be a more collaborative approach as opposed to a confrontational approach,” Barker said, adding there’s distrust amongst military veterans.

Barker said there have been Band-Aid solutions with Veterans Affairs, but nothing that fixes the culture of confrontation.

The 2006 Veterans Charter changed everything, Barker said. The lump-sum payments have meant people who may or may not have financials skills are given a large amount of money. That has created a liability, costing the government more in the long run, Barker said.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised to look at going back to pensions for veterans, Barker said.

“There were promises made that veterans are still waiting for,” he said.

Brassard, a Conservative MP for Barrie-Innisfil, Ont., has been going on tour to speak to veterans and those currently serving in the Canadian Forces about their concerns.

Brassard said Trudeau’s promise to return to lifetime pensions for veterans was “low-hanging fruit” which he has yet to fulfil.

“We do have a sacred obligation to our veterans; we have a duty of care to our veterans,” Brassard said. “They went out, they defended this country, they had the back of this country and we, as Canadians and as government, need to let the veterans know we have their backs as well.”

Brassard said Trudeau promised to never take veterans to court, but instead brought back the Equitas lawsuit, which was launched following cuts to benefits and pensions for veterans.

He said the new Veterans Charter, introduced in 2006 by the Stephen Harper Conservatives, was started under Paul Martin’s Liberal government. He said Erin O’Toole, former Conservative minister of veterans affairs, had held the Equitas lawsuit in abeyance, but Trudeau brought it back.

http://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/veteran-describes-confrontational-dealings-to-veterans-affairs-critic