Address To The Legion District Convention

April 01, 2007

I am pleased to be here today at the District G Spring Convention. I understand that there are close to 300 delegates here today.

As the Member of Parliament for Leeds-Grenville I wish to welcome you to the riding and as a resident of this area I wish to welcome you to Gananoque. I hope you have time to enjoy yourself while you are here.

My remarks will be brief but before I begin I want to acknowledge the service of the men and women who defend our great country, our way of life and our freedom - men and women who sometimes pay for our freedom with their lives.

There are two dates that are particularly poignant at this time.

One year ago today a young man who grew up in Gananoque made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan. Corporal Randy Payne has been remembered by this community and his name is engraved on our cenotaph so that we will never forget him.

Randy’s parents have moved back to this area to be close to his widow and their children.

We will continue to honour the memory of this fine young man.

On May 2, the local Legion will mark the 90th anniversary of the death of Colonel Russell Briton after whom the Gananoque branch is named.

He died in battle on May 2 after surviving Vimy Ridge.

That battle, as you know, as been called the coming of age point for Canada as a young country.

It is fitting that Colonel Britton continues to be remembered.

But that in no way reduces the sacrifice made by the others who have fought and died for us and I want to also acknowledge the work done by Bill Beswetherick and Geraldine Chase who published Gananoque Remembers, a biography of all the fallen who have called Gananoque home but who never returned.

Canada’s New Government stands behind the men and women of Canada’s military.

Before we were elected we promised renewal in the armed forces and in just over 15 months we have delivered.

Our Defence Minister, The Honourable Gordon O’Connor is committed to ensuring that Canada has a well-equipped and well-trained military.

He has embarked on a program to upgrade and update equipment used by the military.

And he has gone beyond the nuts and bolts.

He, along with Veteran Affairs Minister The Honourable Greg Thompson, have undertaken a program to ensure that Canada stands by its military personnel and veterans -  in training, on the battlefield and at home.

We recognize that the health and well-being of our men in women in uniform and of our veterans is an important part of the overall picture.

Last year we introduced the new Veteran’s Charter. The New Charter is a comprehensive wellness package that benefits Canadian Forces members, Veterans, and their families.

The package contains the key elements which Canadian Forces Veterans and their families told us are important to them, including: rehabilitation, health benefits, job placement assistance, financial benefits and disability awards.

Earlier this month we introduced the Veteran’s Bill of Rights.

The Veterans Bill of Rights is an expression of the rights Veterans have long identified as important.
 
It is a comprehensive declaration of rights for all war-service Veterans, Veterans and serving members of the Canadian Forces - Regular and Reserve -, members and former members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, spouses, common-law partners, survivors and primary caregivers, other eligible dependants and family members, and other eligible clients.

The Veterans Bill of Rights was developed in consultation with Veterans' organizations to strengthen our ability to respond quickly and fairly to the concerns of Veterans.

It sets out the rights of Veterans and clients in accessing Veterans Affairs’ programs and services.

It is a clear and concise statement that Veterans Affairs will continue to make sure every one of its clients is treated with respect, with dignity and with fairness.

At the same time we announced that we will appoint a Veteran’s Ombudsman.

The Ombudsman will operate at arms length from the government and will play an important role in raising awareness of the needs and concerns of Veterans.

The Ombudsman will submit a report annually to the Minister. This report will be tabled in Parliament.
Our veterans have given their very best to Canada.

I am proud to be part of a government that is giving its very best back to them.

Thank you again for inviting me here today.