REPORT FROM PARLIAMENT

In the coming weeks, Canadians will join together to honour a very special group of men and women who unite us as few things do: our Veterans – the generations of brave Canadians who have served our great country in both times of war and times of peace. Canadians respect and honour the great debt we owe to Veterans and their families. I am proud of our government’s record in recognizing and honouring this debt.

In less than four years in office, your Conservative government have expanded and improved a number of programs to ensure our aging Veterans receive the support they have earned and deserve. Our Veterans Independence Program (VIP) is a prime example. Our government extended this world-class program to more widows so that they can continue to live independently. We also extended VIP and other crucial benefits to resident Allied Veterans who fought side-by-side with Canadians during the Second World War and Korean War.

Your Conservative government recognizes the diverse needs of our men and women in uniform and as a result we have made good on our promises to create a Veterans Bill of Rights and to appoint Canada’s first Veterans Ombudsman.

At the same time, your Government has taken unprecedented action in meeting the needs of our younger Veterans. Within two months of taking office, we implemented the New Veterans Charter, which has already helped more than 16,300 modern-day Veterans and their families with comprehensive financial assistance, rehabilitation, job placement and health benefits.

Many Veterans and their families cope with the trauma that can come with serving on long, difficult and dangerous missions. In response our government has expanded our mental health programs, doubled the number of operational stress injury clinics across the country from five to 10, and has hired more peer counsellors for military families through our internationally-renowned OSISS (Operational Stress Injury Social Support) program.

Finally, your Government is making sure future generations remember the achievements and sacrifices of those who serve. Over the past four years, your Government has provided funding support to hundreds of community groups to restore cenotaphs and monuments and to hold commemorative events to honour our Veterans and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

To achieve all of this, our government has increased federal funding by an additional $1.9 billion, for our Veterans their families, and the issues important to them.

As Canadians, we are justifiably proud of our war veterans and recognize the continuing sacrifices our military make to protect the safety and freedom we enjoy. As Veterans’ Week approaches, I encourage the constituents of Battlefords-Lloydminster to take the time to remember our nation’s greatest heroes—past and present.

Hon. Gerry Ritz is the Member of Parliament for Battlefords-Lloydminster www.gerryritzmp.ca