New Conservative Minister Erin O’Toole – a new start or more of the same for Veterans Affairs?

VETS OFFICE CLOSURES

After the dismal performance of Julian Fantino – noted for his heartless comments about veterans offices simply being administrative points of contact as he closed down Veterans Affairs offices across the country, no one can question the fact it was time for a fresh face ready to change things.

Congratulations to Erin O’Toole on his appointment as the new Minister of Veterans Affairs. But what has the fresh new minister O’Toole said about these office closures?

“Veterans Affairs offices are administrative points of contact. We have heard that term. They do not deliver benefits for our veterans.”

– Erin O'Toole, House of Commons, January 30, 2014

Huh? Mr. O’Toole sounds a lot like former minister Fantino.

CONFRONTATIONAL MEETINGS

And of course there were those confrontational meetings where Mr. Fantino was disrespectful towards veterans – and even harangued them for making him stay late for an evening meeting.

At least Mr. O’Toole wouldn’t have been party to that kind of meeting, would he?

“The veterans arrive at the minister's office at the scheduled time, only to discover the minister has been called to a cabinet meeting. Instead, they're greeted by a trio of Conservative MPs. Laurie Hawn, Erin O'Toole … and Parm Gill”
– CBC, January 29, 2014

Veterans Affairs subsequently put out a press release making it crystal clear that Mr. Fantino and Mr. O’Toole were simply defending the Conservative government’s cuts to veteran’s services.

“Both the ministers and the MPs were pleased to reassure the group that despite the upcoming closure of eight underused district offices, the Government of Canada has increased the points of service for veterans…"

Canadian veterans know better. They know that cutbacks and office closures have hurt – and shuffling deck chairs isn’t the same as reversing cuts and reopening veteran’s offices.

Canadians deserve better.