Many veterans across the country are trying to figure out their next move, now that eight Veterans Affairs offices have closed.
The Harper majority voted down a last minute motion to reopen the offices yesterday in the House of Commons.
“We weren’t really disappointed because we knew they weren’t going to do it anyway,” says veteran Ron Clarke. “They’re determined to close the office, we’re determined to keep them open.
Veterans Affairs minister Julian Fantino told a Toronto radio station that union officials have agitated the veterans community with misinformation.
“One of the things that really upset me is the fact they’re blaming the union and saying they’re running us guys, giving us false information,” says Clarke. “Well let me tell you, it’s Mr. Fantino who’s handing out false information.”
David Johnson is a political science professor at Cape Breton University. He predicts there will be repercussions for the Conservatives in the next federal election, as a result of their decision to close the Veterans Affairs offices and the subsequent war of words with the veterans.
“I think they’re becoming tone deaf to veterans, including those who vote Conservative,” says Johnson.
Veterans maintain office closures will create new problems.
“Too slow, people are not knowledgeable and PTSD vets, like myself, will not go anywhere near the place, there’s no privacy,” says Clarke.
For now, each of the eight communities, including Sydney and Charlottetown, that lost a Veterans Affairs office will have a Veterans Affairs agent at their nearest Service Canada outlet.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Kyle Moore
