I was a civilian who served in Afghanistan. There are many civilians across Canada who also served over there. In the hospitality section, I actually drove far off the base. I fuelled up tanks and TLAVs, and stuff with dangerous jet fuel. When I came home, I had hearing loss from over there as a result of a rocket attack. There are many other civilians who have had problems when they've come home.
There are absolutely no programs available for us at all. I talked to Veterans Affairs. The first thing I was asked for was an ID number. I don't have a DND number, and I've actually been hung up on, because I've argued with the individual.
As a civilian who went over there, and put his life on the line to help our soldiers, I believe all the civilians across Canada should be recognized with different programs. Unfortunately, we're not.
You guys are all sitting here today, you're all MPs, maybe it's time that one of you guys decide that the civilians who were in every war that Canada has ever been in should be recognized.