Here we go again. A federal election is around the corner and the Harper government has launched its campaign. My question is: will Canadians see through the flurry of promises or will they be duped by their own complacency, yet again?
I note specifically the announcement (Nov. 23rd) that $200 Million will be allocated over 6 years, beginning in late 2015, to address the mental health issues of members of the Armed Forces and their families as well as veterans. Sounds good, doesn’t it?
However, contrast that with the recent revelation that Veterans’ Affairs returned $1.13 Billion of unspent allocation funds to the federal treasury in the last 7 years, in spite of the very serious and immediate needs of military personnel, their families and veterans to cope with severe mental and physical injuries and of the public outcry over the lack of resources available to them.
For a government that has made the military a ‘motherhood and apple pie’ issue, it’s shameful and bewildering that it has chosen to balance its budget on the backs of these very men and women and their families.
The latest announcement comes just days before the Auditor General’s report on mental health in the Canadian Forces is released and one can’t help but imagine that the $200M is simply damage control.
The Harper government will not want to be remembered as the government that abandoned those who have sacrificed the most for their country.
It’s up to us to remember when we go to the polls.
Pat Martin