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Posted on 04/03/2007 3:42:02 PM PDT by GMMAC
Harper government establishes bill of rights, ombudsman for veterans
Colin Perkel, Canadian Press
Published: Tuesday, April 03, 2007
KITCHENER, Ont. (CP) - Canadian soldiers who have done so much for freedom and peace deserve a government that is responsive to their needs, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Tuesday in announcing an ombudsman and bill of rights for veterans.
Speaking to scores of former soldiers, many sporting numerous medals, at a legion hall in this southwestern Ontario city, Harper said his government was delivering on an election promise to ensure veterans get the respect they deserve from Ottawa.
"Brave patriotic men and women like you are the reason we're here," Harper said. "If it weren't for you, and tens of thousands of others like you, we wouldn't have a secure and peaceful country."
Last month's federal budget set out $20 million annually to create the ombudsman's office and address concerns raised by former soldiers.
On Tuesday, Harper announced that the bill of rights would take effect immediately and be written in "clear, concise" language.
It will allow Veterans Affairs to ensure that all veterans are treated with the "fairness, dignity and respect to which he or she is entitled," he said.
The ombudsman's office, created in consultation with veterans groups, will operate at arm's length from the government. It will report annually to the minister of Veterans Affairs, who will in turn send the report to Parliament for all Canadians to see.
"This individual will play an important role in raising public awareness of the needs and concerns of veterans," said Harper, who added the government hoped to fill the position this spring.
"Anything we can do to improve service standards and get a better sense of any problems that exist in the government's relations with its veterans community, those things are all very important."
Veterans attending the announcement appeared pleased with what they heard, and many lined up to shake Harper's hand and thank him.
"It's nice to know that they're going to look after the veterans and I appreciate it," said Dave Johnson, of nearby Waterloo, Ont., who fought for Canada in Korea in 1953 and 1954.
"It shows that the government has been thinking about us."
The creation of an ombudsman's office will be especially important for future veterans, such as those now serving the country overseas, said Johnson.
"I'm 72 years of age and there's not too much I really want myself but for the rest of the fellows that are coming up - that have been in Afghanistan, places like that - I hope he does a lot for them."
Veterans Affairs Minister Greg Thompson, who helped spearhead the announcements, said it was up to the government to live up to its responsibilities to the men and women who have served the country with such dedication.
"Canada always has had the best soldiers," Thompson told the audience.
"You put yourselves in harm's way to defend the values we cherish: freedom, democracy and the rule of law."
© The Canadian Press 2007
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