Legion Dominion President says
Budget Will Hurt Veterans and Their Families

Ottawa – “The federal budget contains cuts to Veterans Affairs Canada that will impact the provision of services and programs to veterans and their families,” says Patricia (Pat) Varga, Dominion President of The Royal Canadian Legion commenting on the federal budget.

“These moves are unacceptable to The Royal Canadian Legion membership and we believe to most Canadians,” she asserts.

“We are very concerned about the future of the New Veterans Charter,” she adds. “It is supposed to be a living document for all veterans that can be changed when a shortcoming is identified. There are a number of critical deficiencies that have not been addressed as yet. But with this budget there is no funding to make the needed changes,” she adds.

The Legion has been advocating on behalf of all veterans to eliminate unfairness in a number of programs including,  but not limited to, funeral and burial benefits, income support programs and the Legacy of Care (a program announced by the Department of National Defence last year) benefits for families of injured members.

“This is a step in the wrong direction,” she states. “The federal government is obliged to support our veterans and their families for their commitment and sacrifice to Canada. This is not the way to treat those that have voluntarily served Canada. It shows no compassion, no heart and no conscience on behalf of the federal government,” she concludes.

NOTE TO EDITORS: There will be people available to discuss the budget right after its release regardless of the timing.

For information contact Bob Butt at 613-591-3335 Extension 241, Andrea Siew at Extension 234 or Steven Clark at Extension 245. They can also be contacted by cell phone at 613-297-5853, 613-407-4063 and 613- 292-2475 respectively.

Patricia Varga is the Dominion President of The Royal Canadian Legion. A black and white picture of the Dominion President is available at www.legion.ca/PVarga.jpg .

For further information please contact Bruce Poulin at Dominion Command, The Royal Canadian Legion, at (613) 591-3335 ext. 241 or by cell at (613) 292-8760.

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