North Island – Powell River MP Rachel Blaney says veterans need support and respect.
In a statement for Veterans Week, which runs from November 5 to 11, Blaney says we honour and thank all of the Canadians who served our country and fought to protect peace, equality, and freedom.
She says while Canadians keep being sent into danger, it’s how military members are supported when returning home from service that confirms the act of remembrance.
“Commemoration of military service is not only about building monuments or holding ceremonies on remembrance days, it includes those things, but it also means so much more to veterans, yet many Canadian veterans do not feel well supported,” said Blaney.
Struggles for veterans include Indigenous veterans working towards acknowledgment of their service, Persian Gulf War veterans wanting recognition for serving in that war and to get benefits, and women veterans fighting for their rights and beliefs.
Blaney says a lot of veterans need trauma-informed care and support, but when they call Veterans Affairs, they deal with a complex system that could bring denials of service attribution, and delays in getting benefits.
She recommends the system should be transformed to offer services through trauma-informed care, and that veterans are recognized for their efforts.
“As we also mark Indigenous Veterans Day and Remembrance Day, I encourage everyone to thank and honour our veterans. Lest we forget.”
