NAPE Calls on Harper Government to Deal with Crisis Facing Military Personnel and Rescind Decision to Close Veteran’s Offices

NAPE Calls on Harper Government to Deal with Crisis Facing Military Personnel and Rescind Decision to Close Veteran’s Offices

ST. JOHN’S, NL – The federal government’s decision to close nine Veteran’s Affairs offices will only exacerbate the looming crisis with our Canadian Armed Forces veterans and personnel, according to the President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE), Carol Furlong.

In recent days, four young Canadian veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) committed suicide. According to Furlong, these tragedies took place only days before Minister of Veteran’s Affairs Julian Fantino announced that Veteran’s Affairs offices in eight communities will officially close their doors to veterans on January 31, 2014. This includes the office in Corner Brook. The office in Prince George, B.C. has already been closed.

“Based on recent tragic events, the federal government needs to increase support services to our military personnel, not reduce them. This is an alarming situation that demands immediate attention by the federal government,” said Furlong. “In light of the tragic events this past week and the continued call by veterans, both young and old, for the need to maintain the support services offered in these offices, the Harper government must immediately rescind the decision to close these offices.”

“The suicide deaths of these military personnel have touched the hearts of Canadians. On behalf of the 27,000 members of our trade union, I offer deepest and heartfelt condolences to the families of those young veterans who tragically died in the past week and to their colleagues in our Canadian Armed Forces,” said Furlong. 

– 30 –

For further information please contact:

Keith Dunne, NAPE Campaigns and Communications Coordinator

(phone) 709.570.2501                   

(cell) 709.631.9737             

(e-mail) kdunne@nape.nf.ca