Those who stood on guard now stand in protest

by Clara Musca

Local military veterans are upset with the Canadian government and held rallies last month in an attempt to make their voices heard.

The Conservative government announced last month they would be cutting the Veteran’s Affairs offices out of the budget.

More than 100 veterans and protesters attended a rally on Jan. 31 in front of the Veteran’s Affairs Canada Office on University Avenue West. All nine offices across the country have since been closed.

The closing offices were providing face to face services to war vets including disability benefits, rehabilitation, survivor’s pension and mental health.

Many veterans who relied on these services feel the government is leaving them behind.

Vietnam War vet Mike Lepine said he is disappointed with this decision and thinks that many people do not understand the impact it will have on vets.

“I think it’s a tragedy,” said Lepine. “It’s something that should not be happening to our defenders of this great nation, they deserve better than that.”

The government is still offering services to veterans through phone or e-mail. Lepine said he thinks this plan will not work, because most vets are over the age of 80 and do not use the computer or the phone.

Veteran Roger Deguine said he thinks the new electronic alternatives cannot replace the current system, especially for veterans such as himself who don’t have or want a computer.

Cars passing by at the rally honked to show their support and various speakers at the rally expressed support and outrage over the decisions to close the offices.

“It’s disgusting, and we will not stand for it,” said Brian Masse, NDP MP for Windsor West.

Many veterans were also upset over their recent meeting with Veterans Affairs Minister Julian Fantino in Ottawa, where they claim he was late for the event and treated them with disrespect.

During the rally in Windsor, Lepine called for Fantino’s resignation and many people chanted “stop Harper.”

Protesters wore black and Lepine prepared a black wreath with a sign in the middle declaring “Lest we forget” to symbolize the veterans’ disappointment with the decision, according to Lepine.

Veterans are worried they will have to travel to acquire the services no longer offered here.

“I’m afraid many of us will have to travel to London now,” said Deguine.

Lepine said he believes the relationship between caseworkers and veterans is one that is important. Despite the closures across Canada, many veterans are committed to this cause.

“We will continue to do what we have to do to make sure that the quality is there for our veterans,” said Lepine. “The closure of this VA office here in Windsor does not mean that we have been defeated.”

Recently a motion by the NDP calling on the Conservative Government to keep the offices open has failed and nine offices across the country have closed their doors.