Lost his last election, in 2004, with 37% of the vote.
Veterans Affairs February 4th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to say that the veterans affairs department has been committed to providing excellent quality care, including home care for our veterans. In fact just a year ago we announced the 10 outcome quality care standards that most people and the major veterans organizations in the country are with us on. This is an excellent approach to ensuring quality care for our veterans.
Question No. 75 January 27th, 2003
From the time Veterans Affairs Canada was established in 1944, the veterans benefit legislation and the resulting Veterans Affairs administrative practices have guaranteed exactly the same rights to all veterans, native and non-native alike.
Under the post-war demobilization program, veterans could choose one of the following options: a re-establishment credit (which was equal to the war services gratuity), educational assistance (vocational or university training), or assistance under the Veterans’ Land Act (VLA).
Approximately 60% of first nations veterans chose VLA compared with 10% for non-first nations veterans, and DVA paid $2,320 to Indian Affairs for each of these veterans. By comparison, approximately 70% of all veterans chose to take the re-establishment credit (which averaged $450).
A file review was conducted to determine whether Métis veterans received their full entitlement to these benefits. Preliminary results indicate that 78% of Métis veterans received the re-establishment credit, 15% chose assistance under the VLA, and 3% chose educational assistance.
The Government of Canada recognizes that the National Métis Veterans Association (NMVA) and other organizations representing Métis veterans are dissatisfied that they have not received the same offer as first nation veterans.
However, Veterans Affairs Canada has extended an offer to the NMVA to further review the findings of the file review conducted by the department.
Veterans Affairs December 12th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, when I was seized of the case of Mr. Trotter, I thought it would be only fair to consider all prisoner of war veterans who fell under similar circumstances. We should also indicate that ex gratia payments are also based on the principle of responsible public spending. We have taken all factors into account and we feel that this is an offer of gratitude to Mr. Trotter, and we feel that this is fair.
Veterans Affairs December 12th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I was very pleased to announce on behalf of the Government of Canada that we are able to pay ex gratia payments to Mr. Trotter and other veterans under similar circumstances. In fact, today I just okayed a letter that will go to Mr. Trotter. If the cheque has not been received, it is already in the mail.
Veterans Affairs December 4th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce today, on behalf of a grateful nation, that the Government of Canada will be making an ex gratia payment to retired Lieutenant Colonel Elmer (Al) Trotter and other prisoner of war veterans, POWs, found to be in similar circumstances.
As I had earlier alluded to in the House, Mr. Trotter has received the full benefits available to him under the current law.
This ex gratia payment will be made in recognition of lost opportunity for these very special Canadians and will not exceed $20,000 tax free per individual.
In announcing this decision, I would like to thank in particular the member for Kamloops, Thompson and Highland Valleys for first bringing Mr. Trotter's case to the attention of the House. Likewise, I thank all others who directly and indirectly also called this case to my attention: other colleagues from both the government caucus and the opposition; former members of both Houses of Parliament; citizens at large; and the media. I sincerely thank all for the participation in the public debate. This is part of the freedoms for which our veterans fought.
Prisoner of war veterans have always been a very special group of veterans for both the Parliament and the Government of Canada, for all veterans organizations and for all Canadians. Canada is the only country in the world, in addition to France, which provides pensions for POWs. This is why Mr. Trotter's case is so compelling and why I have taken this course of action.
From time to time, parliamentarians are called upon to deal with difficult issues. Such situations are very challenging for all of us and call for a solution that is fair to the veterans concerned and to the citizenry at large on the issue at hand.
The tenet of ex gratia payment provides us with the needed solution. It presupposes that the payments set reflect responsible public spending. Indeed, the principle of ex gratia payment is to be invoked only in exceptional circumstances.
Many words have been written on behalf of Mr. Trotter; many more have been spoken. I quote from a member of the Privy Council for Canada, the former Senator Leonard S. Marchand who, referring to Mr. Trotter, wrote, “He is a kind, intelligent, unassuming individual who cares deeply for his country and little about himself”. He is truly a hero.
I would like to add that he flew 44 missions over Europe during the second world war as a pathfinder for Lancaster bombers, was shot down, taken prisoner of war and tortured.
Now I quote from Mr. Trotter himself. He wrote:
I believe...my record proves that I served my country well over my 26 years in our Armed Forces, both in war and peace, and to suddenly find myself being treated like I was an alien hurts very deeply...
One can fully appreciate why his case was heart-rending for me and for all of us until now.
I conclude on this note. Once more we can say we have listened to the challenge of the human conscience. Moments like this one make politics a truly noble calling and the House of Commons, and Parliament as a whole, a truly noble institution.
Retired Lieutenant Colonel Al Trotter served with gallantry when the nation called more than half a century ago. Today he has reinforced in us who we would like to be: servants of the people.
Veterans Affairs November 27th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I am glad the member is now following the principle of law. In her question a few days ago she indicated that she would like to find a loophole in the law.
This minister does not find loopholes in the law. We follow the process of law-making in this country. We are searching for a solution. When that is done within the spirit of law and justice, the answer will be provided in this hall of Parliament.
Veterans Affairs November 27th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, it is right. A minister may not intervene in the decision of the Veterans Affairs review board. However, when the principle of law in a nation competes or collides with the principle of justice, we have a duty to search for a solution and that is why the minister is searching for a solution. When the answer is ready it will be given in the House.
Veterans Affairs November 26th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, to the identical question asked by the same member, my answer remains the same. It is a very heart-rending issue for all of us. That is why I have asked the department to look for a fair and just answer to this very heart-rending issue. When the answer is ready, we will inform the House.
Veterans Affairs November 18th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, this is a very heart-rending case for all of us. That is why I have asked my department to revisit the issue. If amendment of the law remains an option, when the answer is available I will give it to the House of Commons.
Veterans Affairs November 18th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I cannot discuss this individual case. However, I should say that all who had been prisoners of war and who have filed applications for benefits within the law passed by this Parliament have received the benefits according to the law of Parliament.