Published by Senator Grant Mitchell on 09 May 2012
As they should, the Conservatives go to great lengths to honour "the men and women in uniform who risk their lives to protect our democratic values." Now, we are seeing that many of these veterans are in desperate need of mental health services to help them deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. There is evidence that this is becoming a more intense problem as veterans stand down, the adrenaline evaporates and they are left with their thoughts. Military suicides are on the increase.
Last week, the government cut 15 of 25 mental health related workers who had been there to help the military personnel in Petawawa with post traumatic stress disorder problems. This is a devastating betrayal. This government honours these military women and men with words but says that there is not enough money left to provide the help they need.
Is the government suggesting that Canadians do not want to pay enough in taxes to pay our debt of gratitude to these men and women whose lives have been changed irrevocably, and the lives of their families too, because they did what we asked them to do, to defend our values and way of life? Are we really that selfish, Mr. Harper?