Rey D. Pagtakhan

[Veterans Affairs, May 7th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for her question. Certainly the quality of long term health care for veterans is a priority for the government. In fact earlier this year we signed an agreement with the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation to ensure that the ten national health care options for veterans are implemented and in the process of accreditation. In fact today 93% of the priority access beds are accredited. We will continue to strive for excellence in the quality of health care for all our veterans across this nation.

[Battle of Vimy Ridge, April 9th, 2002]

The fateful battle: It was 5.30 in the morning. The ground would tremble and surely each man felt fear and thought of home. The assault turned out to be the swiftest and most complete victory of the war. Within three days Canadians had captured the entire ridge.

The Canadian success at Vimy marked a profound turning point for the allies. General Byng, commander of the Canadian corps and later a Governor General, would write:

There they stood on Vimy Ridge [on the 9th day of April 1917]...and there was forged a nation, a nation tempered by fires of sacrifice--

However the cost of nationhood was high. Three thousand, five hundred and ninety-eight would lie still forever on French soil. For the families of the dead, the price of victory would also be very steep.

Allow me to share some lines from one letter written by Percy Winthrop McClare on Monday, April 16, about a week and a half after his first exposure to battle.

My Dear Mother,

I can only write a short letter this time....as I have been in the trenches for nine days.... You have no doubt heard...of the capture of Vimy Ridge. I was in the whole of that battle and it was Hell--

The letter went on to say:

--Mother Dear, please don't do any worrying as it does no good. But remember me in your prayer.... Your loving son, Winnie.

Thirty days later, Private Percy Winthrop McClare, age 19, was killed in action.

The story of Vimy is more than a major triumph for Canada. It was also the story of courage and valour of the families back home.

Those young men came of age under very brutal circumstances: in the tunnels and trenches and on the barbed wire fences.

It is these images, as awful as they are, that we must keep in our hearts and memories and pass on to succeeding generations. That is the promise of remembrance we have made to all our veterans.

At 11 o'clock this morning, a number of us will gather at the National War Memorial to honour that pledge of remembrance to all who served and to all who gave their lives in the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

I had the honour this past Sunday to lay, on behalf of the Government of Canada, the wreath of reverence at the Canadian Vimy Memorial in France.

Thirteen high school students from across Canada joined me, as did veterans and many others: officials of Vimy and officials of the government of France.

Standing in front of the Canadian Vimy Memorial was truly an experience I will not forget. For truly the Canadian memorial at Vimy tells it all. It symbolizes supreme sacrifice and heroic deeds. Human values, peace, freedom, justice, truth and knowledge are reflected in the statues of the memorial.

These human values are universal in space and time. They are about life and dignity.

As we salute our Vimy veterans, let us also salute Canadians in uniform who have been called to take up arms to serve the cause of peace and freedom in a far away land.

The Battle of Vimy Ridge will continue to inspire a nation.

[Battle of Vimy Ridge, April 9th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, today is as very special day in the annals of Canadian military history and in the life of our country.

On this day, 85 years ago, April 9, 1917 to be exact, the Battle of Vimy Ridge was fought and won by Canadians where all previous attempts by other allied forces had failed.

May I note at this juncture that Canada's veterans lost a dedicated and treasured friend with the passing of the Queen Mother. She was laid to rest this morning and I would ask members to join me in a moment of silence in her memory.

[Veterans Affairs, March 14th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the ruling was issued yesterday. It is of course a very complex legal issue and government lawyers are indeed reviewing the ruling.

Let me assure the hon. member that Veterans Affairs Canada will continue its commitment and continue to deliver quality services to veterans. In fact since 1990 we have been paying interest on the administered accounts.

[Veterans Affairs, March 11th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Veterans Affairs commendation, endorsed by the Governor General, will be awarded to veterans and other Canadians who have made extraordinary contributions to the care and well-being of veterans as well as to the remembrance of their sacrifices and achievements in the interests of peace and freedom.

[Veterans Affairs, February 28th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, Veterans Affairs Canada takes the issue of our veterans and their entitlement to pensions very seriously. We will see to it that there will always be pension advocate offices for them wherever possible .

[Veterans Affairs, February 28th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, veterans who are entitled to service medals but have not received them may contact the Veterans Affairs Canada offices anywhere in Canada, as well as any veterans organizations. May I add to increase communication, we will be including this information in the upcoming issue of Salute , our new client newsletter.

May I commend the member for his initiative in helping his constituent secure this medal within a month of being made aware of the situation.

[Veterans Affairs, February 22nd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Niagara Centre for his question reflecting his interest for the well-being of the members of our Canadian forces.

Acknowledging the magnitude of the problem, Veterans Affairs Canada has dedicated a team of staff to process claims for disability pensions resulting in over 80% approval. Acknowledging the effect of this disorder on the members and their families, Veterans Affairs Canada has instituted an approach that will provide not only for the veterans but also for their families. Acknowledging the real intensity of this issue we--

[Veterans Affairs, February 7th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada shares the sentiments of the member and those of the subcommittee that indeed we should ensure the quality of care in the long term for our veterans. It is our duty to do this.

We are closely monitoring the situation around the country, not only at the Perley-Rideau Veterans Health Centre. Moreover, about three weeks ago, on January 15, we set an agreement so that the level of funding is there to ensure that the quality of care for our veterans is in place.

[Veterans Affairs, February 4th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, first may I join my colleague in commending our troops in Kandahar. They are doing a splendid job.

Let me assure him and all colleagues in the House that any member of the Canadian Forces who suffers illness or injury as a result of service in Afghanistan will receive all appropriate disability pension and health coverage benefits.

Indeed, Canada as a nation can take pride that we take care of our veterans when they incur illness or injury as a result of service, whether in peace time or in special duty areas.