Julian Fantino

[Veterans Affairs, November 6th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, for far too long, the Korean War has been the forgotten war. Successive governments have brushed aside complaints by Korean War veterans that Canadians simply did not know their sacrifice or their remarkable accomplishments. Not this year. This can be said no longer. Our government has spent 2013 working with members of Parliament, members from the other place, veterans associations, and indeed, foreign governments to right this wrong.

As Remembrance Day approaches, I call upon all parliamentarians and Canadians to learn about and to remember those who fought so bravely in the Korean War.

[Veterans Affairs, November 5th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, that member has his facts all wrong, as usual. There is, however, one thing in common that he and I have. We are both concerned and conscientious, hopefully, about veterans. Obviously, he and I both disagree on how that is done.

Nonetheless, we do agree on the fact that both he and I feel that his leader is not fit to be the Prime Minister of this country.

[Veterans, November 5th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, economic action plan 2013 doubled the financial support for the families of veterans, while cutting more red tape in the process. These changes represent valuable assistance that is available to the families of veterans during difficult times.

What we have done is responsive to the needs of our veterans and their families, and we continue to work on that issue. The Liberale members should join us because they consistently vote against our programs.

[Veterans, November 5th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, no government has done more for our serving men and women and our veterans.

It is ironic the one thing that member has shown is that he consistently votes against the equipment our men and women need in theatre, and when they come home, that members votes against their benefits as veterans.

I call upon that member to stop playing political games at the expense of our serving armed forces members and our veterans.

[Veterans, November 5th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, listening to that rhetoric, it is almost wishful thinking that we have more of our veterans deceased so there would be more money used.

The reality is that the Parliamentary Budget Officer confirmed, in his report, that our government more than doubled the finances for funerals and other programs, while all the time the NDP has voted against these programs.

[Veterans Affairs, November 4th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member not only for his service to Canada but also for being an honourable veteran.

This Remembrance Day, I stand shoulder to shoulder with every member of this place to pay tribute and to remember those who gave their lives in the service of Canada. All members are invited to a parliamentary remembrance ceremony tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. at the National War Memorial, and I hope many of those here will attend.

Canadians know one thing for sure. Canadian veterans helped shape our great country, and those who lost their lives deserve our absolute respect and must always be remembered.

Lest we forget.

[Veterans Affairs, November 4th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, that is utter rubbish, indeed.

Assuming that the member actually read the budget officer's report, I invite him to take a read of his quote: “In addition to the increased reimbursement for Canadian veterans' families for funeral expenses under the new program rules, additional expenses like ceremonial services and transportation costs are now eligible”.

Truth be known, we have one of the best programs available to veterans and their families. That member and his party have consistently not supported us.

[Veterans Affairs, November 4th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Parliamentary Budget Officer for highlighting how our government doubled the financial limits 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, even though the party opposite has chosen to not support us in these particular enhancements for our veterans.

[Veterans, October 21st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the facts tell the tale. Our government has made substantial investments to support Canadian veterans, including almost $5 billion in net new dollars since taking office. This funding was put forward to improve financial benefits and provide world-class rehabilitation and tuition costs to help veterans transition to civilian life.

While our government is making improvements to veterans' benefits, those parties voted against this new funding for mental health and other support systems for veterans.

[Veterans, October 21st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the only unfair thing about that is the very premise.

Through eight consecutive budgets, our government has invested almost $5 billion in new in funding to enhance veterans' benefits programs and services. Close to 90% of the department's $3.5 billion budget is going toward direct services and support for veterans and their families. Canadians can be very proud of our response to their issues.

That is eight consecutive budgets that those parties voted against. I am not surprised that the member would forget about that minor detail.