Julian Fantino

[Veterans Affairs, January 29th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, in fact, at the beginning of February, there will be 650 locations across Canada where veterans can receive in-person service from the Government of Canada, which is 16 times higher than in 2006.

The NDP and the Liberals voted against increased investments for Canadian veterans. I bet they are going to do so again in the next few weeks.

Veterans have told us that they want less paperwork and fewer trips downtown, which begs the question: Who is the member actually working for? The record will show that they have consistently voted against our initiatives to increase benefits and services to veterans.

[Veterans Affairs, January 28th, 2014]

In fact, Mr. Speaker, I am proud of our government's demonstrated support for our veterans and their families, such as home visits and nurses' care, case managers, grass cutting, snow clearing, home cleaning, opening 17 operational stress injury clinics, 24 integrated personnel support centres and over 650 service locations to assist veterans.

While that member and his party engage in useless rhetoric, we on this side of the House are actually delivering for our veterans and their families.

[Veterans Affairs, January 28th, 2014]

In fact, Mr. Speaker, beginning in February there will be over 650 locations across Canada where veterans can receive in-person service from the Government of Canada, which is 16 times higher than back in 2006.

The NDP and the Liberals voted against increased investments toward Canadian veterans, and I bet they will do it again in a few weeks.

Veterans have told us that they want less paperwork and fewer trips downtown, which begs the question: Who are that member and his party actually working for?

[Veterans Affairs, December 2nd, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, among the variety of options available to veterans, Veterans Affairs Canada case workers and nurses do personalized home visits for those who need them. While the member opposite engages in scare tactics, we will continue to deliver services and support our veterans no matter where they live and will do that ongoing. If they need assistance among many services, we will cut their grass, shovel their snow and clean their homes. That is our commitment to veterans and that good work continues.

[Veterans Affairs, December 2nd, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, Cliff Chadderton was the long-serving chief executive officer of The War Amps, chairman of the National Council of Veteran Associations and a D-Day veteran.

Being severely injured in World War II, he returned to Canada, not with defeat in his eyes, but with inspiration that he could make things better for others.

We all send our deepest condolences to the Chadderton family and thank Cliff for his remarkable contribution to our great country.

[Questions on the Order Paper, November 29th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, with respect to the enhancements to the new veterans charter, in regard to (a), the $2 billion is the accrual cost estimate of the additional amount that will be paid to Canadian Armed Forces members and veterans because the approved program changes over the life of the program--i.e., it is defined as the period up until the last eligible program recipient dies.

In regard to (b),it is not possible to calculate how much of the $2 billion has already been spent because a portion of the $2 billion liability is paid down each year as benefits and services are paid to Canadian Armed Forces members and veterans. Because the funding announced in November 2010 was incremental funding for previously established programs, it is not possible to identify separately how much of the $2 billion has already been spent.

Confirmation can be provided as of August 31, 2013 that 2,717 veterans now have access to increased monthly financial compensation through the earnings loss benefit, 590 veterans have increased access to the Permanent Incapacity Allowance, and 202 veterans have access to Exceptional Incapacity Allowance.

[Veterans Affairs, November 21st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, seriously injured veterans do not have to leave their homes. We will visit them at their homes. In fact, we will cut their grass, clean their homes, and shovel their snow.

We are doing a fabulous job for veterans in support of them. The feedback I get is that Veterans Affairs Canada and the Canadian people are looking after them.

Sure, there are more things to be done, and that is why we are having the review of the charter.

[Veterans Affairs, November 21st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question and his demonstrated concern for the welfare of our veterans and their families.

I also thank the Parliamentary Budget Officer for highlighting how our government doubled the financial limit of the funeral and burial program. We will continue to work with veterans' groups to ensure the Canadian funeral and burial program remains one of the most generous of our allies.

I urge the hon. member and all interested parties, who can in fact contribute to any changes they would wish to make, to appear in front of the parliamentary committee delving into the new veterans charter.

[Veterans Affairs, November 21st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, it seems that no matter what one does to improve the quality of life and support for veterans and their families, that member is obviously not on side.

This is certainly a move that we are making to enhance the quality of life and support for our veterans. The member can contribute to that ongoing effort if she wishes, as we have done all along.

The comprehensive review of the new veterans charter is a step forward. It is a continuation of our good work, which over the last five or six years has added some $5 billion in programs and services for our veterans and their families.

[Priority Hiring for Injured Veterans Act, November 20th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I cannot even begin to respond to the lack of factual data and the ongoing scaremongering that have come from the member.

Admittedly, there is always room for improvement. Perfection is not of this world. I do not profess that Canadian Forces personnel are perfect in every way. However, it is really difficult to hear that kind of rant and not have some appreciation for the men and women who work so hard to provide the best possible services they can to support our veterans. However, I will not go into that.

I would like to give the member the opportunity to respond. He talks a lot about giving money to veterans who are injured in service, et cetera. I have to reflect back on his comments:

...that's like hanging a case of beer in front of a drunk...they go and spend it, either trying to buy a house or buying a fast car or spending it on booze or addiction.

That is such an irresponsible, out-of-touch comment. I would like to give the member opposite an opportunity to relate to that particular comment and his rhetoric just now.

I also take exception to his comment that all we do with our veterans is teach them to kill or be killed. That is such an uninformed, uneducated, crass comment that I cannot even begin to express myself. I will give the member opposite an opportunity to answer.