Lest We Forget: Veterans Minister Gives Thanks at Cenotaph Ceremony
From left, Canada’s Veterans Affairs Minister Kent Hehr and Cariboo-Prince George Conservative MP Todd Doherty – photos 250News
Prince George, B.C. – Veterans, dignitaries and members of the public gathered at the Cenotaph this afternoon to mark the federal government’s plan to re-open the Veterans Affairs office in Prince George.
Wreaths were laid by Branch 43 of the Royal Canadian Legion, the City, MLA Shirley Bond and Canada’s Veterans Affairs Minister Kent Hehr.
“I’ve lived in peace and security my entire life since I was born in 1969. And it’s because of men and women who have served in our military and who continue to serve from Vimy Ridge through Juno Beach.
“From the Korean conflict to our peacekeeping efforts to the Gulf War to our Afghanistan mission and what we do today in the Middle East. I really owe a debt of gratitude to these men and women to remember the sacrifice of not only individuals and family members but also the sacrifice of the nation,” said Hehr.
Also on hand at the ceremony was Conservative Cariboo-Prince George MP Todd Doherty. His government was responsible for closing the office and eight others across the country in 2012.
But Doherty said that decision was made before he entered politics and supports the decision to re-open it now.
“I think that every government or every organization sets out with the best intentions. I think there was a plan in place on how to offer better service and better care,” he said.
“But perhaps that wasn’t communicated and it’s not for me to second guess or speculate on that. All I can talk about is from the first meetings I had in January of last year to beyond after being elected, it’s something that was needed.
“I support it, it’s a great announcement. Today is a great day.”
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“But perhaps that wasn’t communicated and it’s not for me to second guess or speculate on that. All I can talk about is from the first meetings I had in January of last year to beyond after being elected, it’s something that was needed.”
“I support it, it’s a great announcement. Today is a great day.”
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I’d just like to say how refreshing it is to see MPs from different parties working together and not seeing them always get caught up in back and forth partisan bickering.
The only reason a Conservative MP is allowed to cross party lines and support a reversal of the closure of Veterans Affairs offices made by the previous Conservative Government is because they are no longer in power. Harper and the PMO boys in short pants are no longer running the show, heck, MP Todd Doherty just being allowed to appear in the media is a refreshing change.
It will be my personal mission to remind everyone just how bad democracy was under that dictatorship of a Harper government! Never again can we allow Canada to be “Con”ed!
Totally funny, NMG comments how nice it is to see them not caught up in back and forth bickering and off goes JGalt with the usual bickering. Surprised he didn’t bring in Shirley Bond and the Liberals, must be slipping
That is what Real Change is all about! My admiration goes to the two gentlemen in the picture!
Prince George, yer absolutely right. Very good to see. Very pleased with Bruce Gabriel and John Scott of the Legion who pushed for the re-opening. Don’t think it really matters who is in power, our veterans have been suffering through all political parties. Lest we forget our fathers, mothers, aunts and uncles were veterans.
Just wish all our vets could be honoured, instead of being kicked to the curb. If the Liberal party wants to get serious, they will be parking a lot more money in PTSD counseling and care.
“That is what Real Change is all about!” I like how you capitalized Real Change for emphasis PrinceGeorge. Since when is changing things back to the way it use to be Real Change?
Undoing the screwups of the Harper Government is not real change, it’s simply undoing the damage… there is a difference!
JGalt, the Harper Government brought about the First Nations Financial Transparency Act. This Act for the first time ever, allowed the average First Nations member to see how and where their bands finances were being spent!
This Act was long overdue!
Justin and his merry band of fools have done away with it!
How exactly do you think that Justin’s pandering’s to First Nations Chiefs and Council members to the detriment of the average First Nations Band member is “simply undoing the damage”!
JGalt, most of the time you are just plain wrong! On the removal of the First Nations Financial Transparency Act, you are really, really wrong! But don’t let the facts of the matter sway your obsessions!
strange I don’t see any veteran’s in the photo.
Cheers
Take a closer look at the Legion members, you’ll see them.
Will serve an estimated 1200 veterans, is that clients or just veterans in the area. Well tell us how many actual clients the office was serving before it was shut down? That number seems to be missing for some reason in this announcement.
After the office was shut down where there service issues?
Does not seem to have been any mention of dropping the disability one time payoff and reinstating the pension. Is that still in development or what?
Disclaimer I am a veteran and a taxpayer, Ready-Aye-Ready
This to me seems to be a 75 million dollar vote buying fluff.
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