Conservative cuts have direct impact on veterans and their families

NDP Veterans Affairs critic Peter Stoffer (Sackville-Eastern Shore) blasted the Conservative government today for attempting to balance its books on the backs of veterans and their families.

“Shane Jones is an Afghanistan veteran suffering from PTSD and a traumatic brain injury” said Stoffer. “His caseworkers have changed three times since June and each time he has a new caseworker, he feels like he has to start all over again.”

The Conservative government has cut hundreds of staff at Veterans Affairs Canada. Their plan to close nine district offices by next year has been met with fierce opposition from veterans’ groups and case workers.

“Many of our veterans require one-on-one assistance that cannot be met through a website, mobile app, or toll-free number” said NDP Veterans Affairs deputy critic Sylvain Chicoine (Châteauguay—Saint-Constant). “New Democrats call on the federal government to reverse these cuts immediately.”