Mr. Speaker, the merchant navy men are back up here on the Hill. They have been wronged since returning to Canada after World War II. They were denied the same benefits that were provided to other veterans. Every other allied nation in the world has recognized and compensated their merchant navy men, even Germany. The Dominion Command of the Royal Canadian Legion called last week and fully support the men. The Department of Veterans Affairs had over $46 million in lapsed funds in 1997, more than enough to compensate these men.
Will the minister please give these brave men what they deserve, or will he allow them to die fighting for their—