Mr. Speaker, during the second world war 26 Canadian airmen were slated for execution at Buchenwald concentration camp.
This past December the Minister of Veterans Affairs responded with a mere $1,098 and stated “I am delighted to be able to close the chapter on this longstanding issue”.
Today Mr. Arthur Kinnis, spokesman for the survivors, has requested I return his cheque. Across Canada virtually all remaining Buchenwald detainees are doing the same.
Nearly 50 years ago these men fought against Nazi tyranny.
Australia and New Zealand have paid their Buchenwald survivors over $10,000 each. Now Canada offers just over $1,000 to the 14 remaining survivors. This is shameful. This is an insult.
I urge the minister to revisit this matter immediately and settle Canada's debt to the brave men of Buchenwald. It would be a disgrace to allow these men to die without the recognition they truly deserve.