Chris in the News: Veterans bill doesn’t solve real problem

Veterans bill doesn’t solve real problem: Charlton
Gord Bowes, News Staff

A private member’s bill before the House may address a problem with war medals being sold and leaving the country, but it doesn’t solve a more serious problem, says MP Chris Charlton. Veterans shouldn't have to sell their medals and decorations in order to support themselves, said the federal representative for Hamilton Mountain. The men and women who fought for Canada are not getting the respect they deserve from their country.

“These are people who have served their countries, they’ve done that with distinction, and in their retirement their pensions aren't enough to survive on," she told the Mountain News.

“It is a situation that reflects badly not on the veterans, but on the successive Liberal and Conservative governments who say that they support our troops, but in fact provide little real support when they return home,” she said during debate on the bill.

Charlton said she doesn't have any problem with Bill C-473 in principal, but she would like it to more resemble an old NDP bill which also barred sale of

RCMP and police honours, and the pension issue must be addressed. She said she hoped some amendments could be made to Bill C-473 when it comes before committee for debate.