Each year, millions of Canadians wear a poppy to honour our veterans and remember those who paid the ultimate price to defend our nation.
This particular Remembrance Day falls on the heels of the Harper Government’s decision to shut down nine district veterans offices. These include offices in Sydney, Charlottetown, Corner Brook, Thunder Bay, Windsor, Brandon, Saskatoon, Prince George and Kelowna.
The closure of these offices will mean that veterans in those cities will have to endure long drives to obtain adequate services – or use a website.
One 73-year-old veteran in Sydney told CTV news that he’ll have to drive five hours to get services in Halifax.
Yvan Thauvette, national president of the Union of Veterans Affairs Employees, explained to CTV that long journeys are very difficult for veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.
“Their concentration is affected. They are unable to travel for long periods. And they need, especially if it’s for medical information, a face-to-face (meeting) with either a case manager or a client services agent.”
Among soldiers who served in combat operations, the risk of suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder or a major depressive episode is at least 30%. A recent study by the VAC and the DND revealed that veterans are at much greater risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder than active service personnel.
The 2011 study revealed that 24.5% of veterans receiving disability benefits under the Pension Act and 42.5% of veterans receiving benefits under the New Veterans Charter are currently suffering from chronic symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
“Canadian government is choosing to throw money at an ad campaign to repair its image at the expense of Canada’s veterans,” wrote PSAC President Robyn Benson in an op-ed recently published in the Brandon Sun. “The government is ignoring the voices of veterans and is whitewashing its own betrayal with advertising.”
Canadian veterans are upset – and rightly so.
“Through veiled words and actions you indicate that the economy is more important than the people who protect it,” wrote David MacLeod, who served in the Canadian Forces from 1982 to 2010, in an open letter to Stephen Harper.
In his letter, MacLeod disinvited the prime minister and his caucus from Remembrance Day ceremonies.
“Your continued hostility towards Canada’s Veterans makes you an unwelcome guest,” added MacLeod. “Please demonstrate appropriate behaviour by taking a minute of silence at 11 a.m. on Nov 11 – in your office.”
The Union of National Employees will take part in the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Assistant Vice-President Evelyn Beckert (NCR-Separate Employers) will be there to lay a wreath on behalf of our union.
Update: Thanks Evelyn for representing the UNE!
