Let’s honour our covenant with veterans

With their latest opposition day motion, the NDP is urging the Conservatives to recognize its obligation to past and present members of the Canadian Armed Forces.

The NDP believes a covenant exists between the Canadian people and the government to provide equitable financial compensation and support services to past and active members of the Canadian Armed Forces who have been disabled or have died as a result of military service, and to their dependents, which the government is obligated to fulfil.

“Canadians recognize there is a moral, social, legal and fiduciary obligation to care for the men and women who have bravely served in Canada’s military,” said NDP MP Fin Donnelly (New Westminster — Coquitlam). “We are ready to demonstrate our commitment to stand for veteran’s rights.”

For years a veteran’s covenant has existed between the Canadian government and past and active members of the Canadian Armed Forces.

“All political parties voted for the New Veterans Charter in 2005, the Conservatives’ implementation of the charter has short-changed essential pension and support services that veterans have earned and rightfully deserve,” said NDP Veteran’s Affairs critic Peter Stoffer (Sackville — Eastern Shore). “Denying our obligation to veterans is not only shameful, it is unacceptable.”

The motion is as follows:

“That, in the opinion of the House, a standalone covenant of moral, social, legal and fiduciary obligation exists between the Canadian people and the government to provide equitable financial compensation and support services to past and active members of the Canadian Armed Forces who have been injured, disabled or have died as a result of military service, and to their dependents, which the government is obligated to fulfil.”