Andrew Scheer promises more support for Canada’s Veterans

New Military Covenant will clear backlog for Veterans’ benefits within 24 months

Canadian Veterans struggling with months-long waits
for pensions and benefits can count on a new Conservative government to take
immediate action to get them the support they deserve.

Andrew Scheer, leader of Canada’s Conservatives,
announced a comprehensive plan today to deliver more help to Canada’s Veterans
in a timely and respectful manner.

“To every Veteran who has struggled and who
continues to struggle without the support and benefits you have earned through
your service, my message is this: You deserve better. After October 21, we are
going to make things better,” Scheer said. “Instead of forcing Veterans to work
harder for government benefits, it’s time the government worked harder for our Veterans’
benefit. It’s time for a government that works harder for you; it’s time for
you to get ahead.”

Scheer highlighted that a new Conservative
government will:

Enshrine, in legislation, a Military Covenant between the Government of
Canada and all Canada’s Veterans. This will guarantee that every Veteran is
treated with respect and is provided services in a timely manner.
Clear the current backlog of Veterans’ benefit applications within 24
months.
Create a reliable, dependable pension system that, unlike the Liberal
status quo, is fair to Canada’s most disabled Veterans.
Strengthen transition services to support discharged or retired Canadian
Armed Forces members.
Strike an independent inquiry to provide answers about Canadian Armed
Forces members who were administered mefloquine.
Provide more service dogs to Canadian Veterans in their communities.
Put vital
commemoration projects, like the National Memorial for Canada’s War in
Afghanistan, back on track.

“These actions are simple, straightforward, and
practical,” said Scheer. “They require new investment from a new government, but
even more importantly, they require new priorities. Our military heroes are deserving. Our
military heroes are worth it.”

In 2015, Justin Trudeau promised that no Veteran
would have to “fight the government for the support and compensation they have
earned.” Yet under the Trudeau Liberals
the number of Veterans left stranded on government waitlists had ballooned to
40,000 – a growth of over 33 per cent. Worst of all, Trudeau continues to fight
Veterans in court, and has dismissed their concerns saying, “They’re asking for
more than we are able to give.”

“Justin Trudeau never turned back SNC-Lavalin’s
lobbyists or claimed they were ‘asking for more than he was able give’,” said Scheer.
“When corporate lobbyists get the red carpet while Veterans get left out in the
cold, it’s proof that Justin Trudeau is not as advertised.”

“To our Veterans, whether you are among the
vanishing generations of heroes who served in
World War II and the Korean War, or whether you are one of the heroes of
Afghanistan or conflict zones around the world, you deserve our gratitude,”
said Scheer.

“When we look out for our Veterans, we are looking
out for the people who dedicated their lives to looking out for us. It’s time
for government that will stand up for our Veterans. It’s time for a
Conservative government that will help you get ahead.”

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