Conservatives vote against better care for veterans

NDP deputy Veterans Affairs critic Sylvain Chicoine (Châteauguay – Saint-Constant), made the following statement on the defeat of his motion calling for more government support for veterans and military mental health:

The recent wave of military suicides has been deeply distressing for all Canadians.

New Democrats believe that the men and women who bravely serve Canada in our armed forces should be able to count on their government for support in their time of need. It is obscene that after fighting abroad, veterans have to fight their own government for basic care when they come home.

This is why we repeatedly urged Stephen Harper and the Conservatives to reverse the cuts to Veterans Affairs offices; increase investment in mental health services for Canadian Forces members; and prioritize outstanding military suicide inquiries.

By voting against this motion, the Conservatives are failing our veterans yet again. They have turned their backs on Canada’s brave sons and daughters when they need help the most. They ought to be ashamed.