Government’s treatment of veterans ‘shameful’

There is no possible excuse for the shameful treatment of our veterans by the federal Conservative government.

Veterans Affairs Minister Julian Fantino’s arrogant and disdainful behaviour with a delegation of veterans who met with him to lobby for keeping eight regional Veterans Affairs offices open is another low point of his career.

He should resign or be fired.

These veterans put their lives on the line for our country without questioning whatever political motives sent them into hellish battlegrounds.

At the very least, we owe them our gratitude, certainly our respect, and whatever medical, personal and mental-health care that they require.

PTSD has already taken a terrible toll, with eight veterans’ suicides within two months.

The government now callously wants to claw back $581 in disability benefits from the husband of a servicewoman suffering from PTSD who committed suicide.

And now they are closing eight regional offices that veterans depend on for health, mental health and service-based issues.

Is this any way to treat those who fought for and were prepared to die for our country?

This shameful betrayal of our veterans may well tip the balance of Harper’s government losing the next election.

Simon R. Guillet
Greater Sudbury