Mr. Speaker, members of Canada's armed forces have paid with their lives and health in service to our great country. How well we attend to our veterans' concerns is a measure of our national conscience and is the expression of the will of our nation. Some of our veterans' concerns still sit, as they have for over 50 years, gathering dust as we prepare to leave for another two week break.
Hong Kong veterans' enslavement compensation by Japan has not been resolved despite assurances. Merchant navy requests for full war veteran status have not been given in spite of recognition by other allied countries. Our gulf war veterans suffer ailments of the gulf war syndrome which has not been recognized as an official disease.
Most of these issues have existed for over 50 years. Most of the veterans have little time left to enjoy restitution. The veterans of Canada want our government to listen now and not later. Our veterans' concerns should not be a new millennium project.