Mr. Speaker, many Canadians were shocked to learn that the government had terminated the Canadian War Museum's contract with the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires, of which one-third are Canadian war vets. These war vets did not just provide security services, they acted as tour guides. What better tour guides to have in a war museum than ones who actually served in war?
If the government wishes to save $100,000, then all it has to do is drop one of its patronage appointments off the veterans appeal board where they earn $85,000 plus expenses to sit three days a week.
I think 72-year old veteran and former war museum commissionaire Mabel Ralph said it best when she said: "It's a slap in the face to all veterans-.They made such a to-do about us when they were commemorating the 50th anniversary. Now it's a different story".
I urge the government to reconsider this decision and reinstate the vets.