Debates of May 29th, 2012

Ted Opitz Etobicoke Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, the men and women of the Canadian Forces are amongst the best soldiers in the world. Their service to our great nation is very much appreciated.

For some in uniform, the service and sacrifices they make will stay with them for the rest of their lives in a form of physical or mental disability.

The Speaker Andrew Scheer

Order, order. The hon. member for Etobicoke Centre has the floor. We will have a little order.

Ted Opitz Etobicoke Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, could the minister please update this House on the status of long-term disability pension payments to injured veterans?

Peter MacKay Minister of National Defence

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for Etobicoke Centre for his work on this file and his long service in the Canadian Forces himself.

This morning I had the opportunity to speak with Dennis Manuge, who was part of the class action. I informed him of our government's decision not to appeal the recent ruling regarding the long-term disability insurance plan.

We sought the court's clarification. We agreed with the decision. We will act expeditiously to ensure that these benefits are provided to our veterans and our current members who need it as soon as possible. We will extend this approach, as well, to the earnings loss benefit program, as well as two other relevant programs in the Department of Veterans Affairs.

We care for our veterans. This is the right thing to do.

Judy Sgro York West, ON

Mr. Speaker, on April 23, RCMP Commissioner Paulson begged the status of women committee to update the 25-year-old disciplinary rule that ties his hands and allows officers convicted of sexual harassment to go free. Unfortunately, government committee members offered lip service and deaf ears, as my motion to address the problem did not pass. This inaction has now forced the commissioner to appeal directly to Canadian people.

Victims are tired of being swept under the rug and want to know when the so-called minister of law and order is finally going to do his job, stop talking and start doing, and take some serious action on behalf of the thousands of victims out there in Canada.

Vic Toews Minister of Public Safety

Mr. Speaker, those are amazing comments coming from a member who sat in a caucus that shut down the depot in Regina and stopped the training of RCMP officers.

Ralph Goodale Wascana, SK

We absolutely did not.

The Speaker Andrew Scheer

Order. The hon. Minister of Public Safety has the floor.

Vic Toews Provencher, MB

Mr. Speaker, as I indicated to my colleagues in the NDP, I have been working diligently with the commissioner—

The Speaker Andrew Scheer

Order. The hon. Minister of Public Safety has the floor.

Vic Toews Provencher, MB

Mr. Speaker, Troop 4, 1998, was the last troop before the Liberals shut down the depot, and they know it.

I have indicated we have worked with the commissioner—