Dear Friends,
I am troubled at how poorly some of our veterans are treated. Over the past year and a half, I have asked numerous questions in the House of Commons with respect to the handling of veterans concerns, especially around their pensions.
Words are easy to speak, and we often hear words of honour, of sacrifice and bravery applied to veterans, especially during solemn occasions such as Remembrance Day. And of course, this is the just and the right thing to do. Yet, words must have meaning beyond the speeches. We must do all we can to honour our veterans, providing them the supports and services they need, and ensure they have economic security.
I am not the only person outraged when we hear of veterans who are homeless or living in poverty or forced to go to court to get what they have earned in defense of their country.
In May 1, 2012, the Federal Court of Canada ruled in favour of Denis Manuge, a veteran who served proudly in the Canadian Forces but was forced to take the Conservative government to Federal Court because they were clawing back his pensions and the pensions of thousands of other veterans.
After 5 long years, enduring much added stress and worry, but knowing he was doing the right thing, Denis Manuge won that case. His determination to do what was right- for himself and for thousands of other veterans- brings meaning to the words duty and honour.
Incidentally, the Conservatives spent $750, 000 dollars fighting him in Court.
There is another case currently before the Courts. This time it is the RCMP veterans who have been forced by the Conservatives to go to court. The situation is not unlike the Canadian Forces veterans. In this case, the RCMP veterans are also having their pensions clawed back.
On three occasions, starting last June, and twice in the past 2 weeks, I have asked the government to enter into negotiations with the RCMP veterans, rather than fight them in court. There is no reason to spend hundreds of thousands of tax payer dollars fighting veterans again. And yet each time I asked a direct question, I got scripted answers that either didn’t even mention the RCMP veterans or ignored the question altogether.
I invite you to read for yourself the questions and answers, and draw your own conclusion.
Hansard
Session 1 | Parliament 41
Monday, June 11, 2012
ORAL QUESTIONS [Oral Questions]
RCMP
Mr. Sean Casey (Charlottetown, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, for five years, the Conservatives have battled disabled veterans, including Dennis Manuge, in court to justify pension clawbacks. The disabled vets prevailed. For the last four years, Royal Canadian Mounted Police veterans have been locked in a similar law suit against the government to stop clawbacks of their pensions. Gerald Buote from Summerside led the suit, but has passed away waiting for resolution. Will the Conservative government again throw everything at the RCMP vets to deny their legal rights or do the honourable thing and include them in the discussions arising out of the Manuge victory in the Federal Court?
Hon. Vic Toews (Minister of Public Safety, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, we have been very proud of the work that we have done with the RCMP. For example, we invested over $150 million in the Depot Division in Regina to ensure that what happened under the Liberal Party does not happen again where it shut down training at Depot. That is the party that turned its back on the RCMP. We will continue to work with the RCMP and ensure that Canadians are safe.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
ORAL QUESTIONS [Oral Questions]
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Mr. Sean Casey (Charlottetown, Lib.):
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives spent close to $800,000 to fight the veterans represented by Dennis Manuge. RCMP veterans are in the same position. They have also had to give up part of their pension. Do the Conservatives intend to waste time and money dragging RCMP veterans before the courts, or are they going to do the right thing and include them in the discussions that are currently taking place on this issue?
Hon. Steven Blaney (Minister of Veterans Affairs, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, it is very clear. As you know, over here we are maintaining all the veterans’ benefits, and we support the decision by the Minister of National Defence to ensure that the individuals who have been penalized—both the men and women of the military and veterans—will no longer be. We are going to continue to ensure that our veterans are entitled to all the programs and services they need and fully deserve.
Monday, September 24, 2012
ORAL QUESTIONS [Oral Questions]
Veterans Affairs
Mr. Sean Casey (Charlottetown, Lib.):
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives spent $750,000 unsuccessfully fighting disabled veterans in court to justify clawing back their pensions. Disabled RCMP vets have also sued to stop the government from doing the very same thing to them. This morning, the Minister of National Defence spoke to an association of military ombudsmen about fair treatment and support for the defence family. Did the minister explain to this international audience that the Conservatives have learned their lesson or will they put disabled and retired police officers through the same grief?
Ms. Eve Adams (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, our government has enormous respect for the veterans who have served and sacrificed for our country. We agreed with the court decision and we are acting expeditiously to ensure that the veterans and the current members who need this benefit receive it as soon as possible. Our government has significantly improved benefits for veterans, including the benefits for disabled veterans, while the NDP and the Liberals consistently vote against these benefits.
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