House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 1997, with 35% of the vote.
War Veterans Allowance Act December 2nd, 1998
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-61, an act to amend the War Veterans Allowance Act, the Pension Act, the Merchant Navy Veteran and Civilian War-related Benefits Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs Act, the Veterans Review and Appeal Board Act and the Halifax Relief Commission Pension Continuation Act and to amend certain others acts in consequence thereof.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Canadian Merchant Navy Veterans November 27th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I want to say in response to the hon. member that the Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Veterans Affairs said no such thing. In fact he said the opposite.
This very delicate situation of a hunger strike, I am delighted to report to the House, is now over because of the hard work of my department, the staff, other members of this party and this government, and the work of the committee and all members.
I thank my parliamentary secretary for the excellent job he has done in this regard.
Veterans Affairs November 25th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for reminding this House that her government could not put forward retroactive legislation either.
Veterans Affairs November 25th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for her kind comments. I also want to tell her what merchant navy veterans receive now in the way of benefits.
They receive disability, survivor's pension, income support, prisoner of war compensation, survivor's allowance, benefits for surgical and dental needs, veterans independence program and long term care. When this government's omnibus bill is introduced early next week they will have these benefits and more.
Veterans Affairs November 24th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member knows, I have met with these veterans before and I will meet with them tomorrow. No decisions have been made. I am there to listen.
Veterans Affairs November 24th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the member has been asking for a meeting. I will say to her again that I have met with these veterans on two occasions. I met with them this morning and I will meet with them again tomorrow.
Veterans Affairs November 24th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I think the hon. member knows because it was set up through her office, she is assisting these veterans on their hunger strike, that I will be meeting with them tomorrow.
Veterans Affairs November 23rd, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member was wrong when she said that every other country does this. No other country engages in retroactive legislation. I just want to correct the books on that.
With respect to the merchant navy veterans, I have met with them twice, my parliamentary secretary has met with them twice, and I will meet with them again as necessary.
Veterans Affairs November 23rd, 1998
Mr. Speaker, seven years ago I was very proud as a member of the opposition to put forward legislation with three other members that would give merchant navy veterans the same benefits as other veterans.
I am even more proud as the Minister of Veterans Affairs for this government to write the final chapter that will give them total fairness in all areas, not a few, not some, not many, not most, but all, every single one.
The hon. member should get out of Wayne's world and get in the real world.
Veterans Affairs November 19th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, consultations with the main veterans group are coming to a close. We had a very fruitful discussion with all groups.
I am pleased to report to the House and our colleagues that I expect the first reading of the bill to be some time in early December. Following second reading the bill will go to report stage for discussion in the appropriate committee.
With respect to the merchant navy veterans who get exactly the same benefits since 1982 as uniformed veterans, their allowances will actually be changed from the civilian war allowance to the Veterans War Allowance Act. They will all—