Mr. Speaker, the government has thumped its chest more while doing less.
Last week I met with the Legion command and veterans in western Canada and heard about government delays in processing routine benefits for departing members of the forces. Without these benefits, some cannot even feed their families or pay their rent. Therefore, the Legion is having to use its poppy fund donations to fill the gap. That is shameful.
Why has the government ballooned the budget for civilians at DND headquarters in Ottawa, while abandoning its responsibilities to departing members of the forces?