In response to a blog post by the NDP Member of Parliament for London-Fanshawe, Irene Mathyssen, I would like to assure Canadians that the health and well-being of our veterans is a top priority for our Conservative government. After serving our country so bravely, we believe that our nation's heroes deserve our recognition and respect.
As I have said before, one veteran on the street is one too many. That is why our Conservative government is taking action to reduce homelessness among veterans. We have taken action by launching homelessness initiatives in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal to provide assistance to homeless veterans. Our homelessness initiatives continue to make a difference, working with over 190 different organizations in over 50 towns and cities from coast to coast to coast.
Our government has significantly increased the support for veterans suffering from PTSD and other Operational Stress Injuries (OSI) by doubling the number of clinics that provide services to veterans, serving members and their families suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Today, between Veteran Affairs Canada (VAC) and National Defence (DND), we have 17 specialized clinics across the country.
These OSI clinics are a measure which Mathyssen's party voted against. I find it difficult to reconcile the idea of calling for more support for veterans while voting against those initiatives which are intended to provide the care and services which they need and deserve.
Our approach is working. As of June 2011, VAC is helping more than 14,900 veterans with mental health conditions and their families. Instead of systematically voting against our veterans, the NDP should stand up alongside our government and work to provide services to our nation's heroes.
Our government has long shown our steadfast support for those who have fought for Canada. Through measures like the Enhanced New Veterans Charter, the "Cutting Red Tape for Veterans" initiative, and the "Helmets to Hardhats" program, we are showing that our government is ready, willing, and able to take action for our veterans.
Our Conservative government will always stand up for our veterans and we encourage all members to do the same.
The Conservatives are closing veterans’' support offices all across the country, offices which, incidentally, provided much-needed employment to some disabled vets.
But to the corporate friends of the Harper Conservatives, the largesse is unbounded and the purse strings are open. The Harper Conservatives are ready and willing to pour billions into private corporate hands in procurement of military gadgets without any meaningful oversight or prudence.
Nowhere in the article do you mention this Minister. Instead you just change the subject to talk about other things the government is doing (great).
Then you compound this by taking a cheap shot at the NDP for "opposing the OSI clinics." Now did they actually oppose these specifically, or did they just oppose the Conservative budget or a bill that they thought didn't go far enough? A little context here. Given the NDPs record of supporting expansion of Veterans care and benefits, the idea that they are "systematically voting against our Veterans" is a bit hard to swallow.
Have you ever heard two points of view on an interview. They only repeat talking points from both sides.
Do you really believe that this fella would speak without vetting through the pmo?
If we cared, we would not be so reckless with human lives.