Press Release
Local NDP MP John Rafferty joined members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada and military veterans yesterday to denounce the closure of the Veterans’ Affairs office in Thunder Bay.
“The elimination of the Thunder Bay office is inexcusable,” Rafferty said.
“The Harper government is now forcing hundreds of local veterans to travel to either North Bay or Winnipeg to access the same face-to-face service they have received here for years.
“It’s wrong and together we’re going to fight it,” he vowed.
The Veterans’ Affairs office in Thunder Bay is one of nine across Canada that is set to close in February.
Rafferty attended the PSAC-sponsored event to show support for local veterans who have used this office to access the large number of government services that are available to them.
Some of the applications for those programs and services are more than 30 pages long, complex, and difficult to access through computers or over the telephone for elderly veterans, in particular.
“Our wartime veterans were told when they signed up that, in exchange for their service and sacrifice, they would be looked after from the day they enlist until they die,” Rafferty noted.
“Well, I think asking those heroes to now travel eight hours to access their benefits is going back on that promise.
“I’m sure all Canadians would agree that they deserve better treatment from their own government,” he said.
