Mr. Speaker, I quote, “Veterans' Week is a chance to honour those who made the supreme sacrifice for our country”. The minister went on to say that we needed to teach our youngsters about veterans. I could not agree more.
In 1976 the Liberal government showed it cared by initiating the prisoner of war pension supplement. In 1986 the Conservatives repealed that law and wrapped the POW supplement into the pension plan. This had disastrous effects for one of my constituents.
Lieutenant-Colonel Al Trotter flew 44 missions over Europe, was shot down and interned in a POW camp for 268 days. Due to a retroactivity clause, today he finds himself neither honoured nor shown respect for his service.
I ask the minister to forget the rhetoric and do something meaningful for veterans this year, to set an example and live up to the legislation's intent. Give Mr. Trotter his due. Give him his total pension and give him the dignity of knowing that his sacrifice was not in vain.