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Conservatives have helped nation's veterans

Facts show government has a solid commitment to Canada's veterans

Editor, The Record:

Re: Veterans deserve better than what they're getting, June 14 edition.

I want to correct some of the misinformation that my Liberal colleague, Sean Casey, included in a recent letter to the editor.

If one looks at the facts it's clear that our government's strong record is in stark contrast to that of the previous Liberal government's. Because of our government’s commitment to our veterans and their families, Veterans Affairs Canada identified 1.1 per cent in administrative savings in Budget 2012 while maintaining benefits and services to our veterans and their families. The Liberals took a different approach to balancing the budget when they cut 11 per cent from Veterans Affairs in 1995.

This impacted the benefits and services provided to our nation’s heroes. They cut support to Allied Veterans and health care benefits. Our Conservative government has spent the last six years correcting mistakes made by the previous Liberal government. In 2010, we took action to restore benefits to those Allied Veterans whose support was cut off under the Liberals.

In fact, since 2006, our government has made unprecedented investments in our veterans and our men and women in uniform. For example, we doubled the number of operational stress injury clinics and we are investing $189 million over the next five years to make significant enhancements to the New Veterans Charter. With these changes, our most ill and injured veterans will receive the care and support they need. Most importantly, we are continuing with our Cutting Red Tape initiative which provides veterans with the hassle-free service they have asked for without cumbersome red tape.

Our government will continue to stand up for those who served in the past and those who continue to serve our great country today.

MP Randy Kamp

Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge-Mission