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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2014-11-05, Page 5Wednesday, November 5, 2014 • News Record 5 www.clintonnewsrecord.com letter to the editor Legion Dominion presidents says government has failed veterans again To TheEditor, With Nov 11 just around the corner, a great deal of focus will once again come upon the sacrifices of the men and women who gave their lives in the ser- vice of Canada. Millions of Canadians will pay their respects to the soldiers, sailors, airmen and airwomen, along with members of the RCMP, who put their lives on the line to protect us every day. Yet each day that goes by, the Govern- ment of Canada is failing to take up the torch and provide the proper care and benefits for our ill and injured veterans and their families. Almost 40 experts recently gave evidence before the Par- liamentary Standing Committee on Vet- erans Affairs (ACVA), laying out in pre- cise detail the situation faced by Canada's veterans. The committee con- sidered this evidence and drafted a series of 14 recommendations. The Committee's report, which was unanimously supported by all of its members (who represented all political parties), laid out its recommendations in a straightforward manner that the government could follow to address ways in which Canada could provide enhanced care for its veterans. And how did the government respond? Here is a quote from the response, ':..the govern- ment is pleased to indicate that it agrees with the spirit and intent of the vast majority of the committee's recommen- dations. Many of these recommenda- tions involve potentially complex changes to some veteran programming. The implications of any potential changes must, therefore, be carefully assessed." But wait a second, Govern- ment just heard from almost 40 experts; it has 14 recommendations that clearly spell out what needs to be done. What more could possibly need to be assessed? This isn't a new situation. The Govern- ment of Canada has been dealing with veterans since the end of the First World War. Certainly the government wants us to all remember that 2014 marks the 100th anniversary of this conflict. But why the government continues to have almost the same issues in looking after ill and injured service personnel after all these years is astonishing. Studies, com- mittee meetings, expert evidence, and countless reports over the years have all spoken to the fact there are clearly shortcomings in veterans' care. What is different now is that the gov- ernment has clear directions to address the major issues that will improve the lives of veterans and their families. Regrettably what is the same is the use of government -speak such as, "Given the interdepartmental, fiscal and legal implications of this recommendation, further due diligence is required to address this proposal." The Royal Canadian Legion will not idly stand by. Our call to action has gone out and we launched a national letter writing campaign calling on the govern- ment to take the action needed to implement the recommendations from the ACVA report. We are calling on all Canadians to support this effort and send a letter to their Member of Parlia- ment right from the Legion's website http://www.legion.ca/ call -for -action -on -the -new -veterans - charter/ There should be no doubt that the adequate care for our injured Veterans and their families is an urgent issue, particularly as we place more military personnel in harm's way with new mili- tary operations Canada is engaging in. The men and women who deal with the shortcomings of the current care and benefits programs offered by the gov- ernment suffer every day at great per- sonal and financial expense. Their fami- lies suffer right along with them. For those who have done so much for our country, it is the very least we can do to ":..take up the torch, be yours to hold it high." We must not break faith with those who die. Send the Legion's letter to your MP today and show you care for all of Canada's ill and injured veterans. Thank you, on behalf of the more than 300,000 Royal Canadian Legion mem- bers across Canada. Tom Eagles Dominion President The Royal Canadian Legion EARLY FILES November 4, 1965 Ghosts, tramps, nurses, hobos and clowns attended the annual CGIT, Hallowe'en party at Knox Presbyterian Church last week. All members with their guests joined in the Grand March while the judges, Mrs. Ben Hamilton and Mrs. Harry Arthur decided the winners The fancy dress prize went to Sheron Collins; Comic dress, Yvonne Girvin; most original costume, Linda Sprout. A program of games was in charge of Diane Kirkconnell, Brenda Ball, Wendy Schneider and Linda Baechler. Lunch, cookies and cider were served by Jane Doran, Judy Arthur and Mrs. Wes Bradnock. November 8, 1973 Labour Minister Fern Guindon announced in the legislature today that a minimum wage of $2 an hour for employees in general industry will become effective throughout Ontario on January 1, 1974. Present rate of $1.80 became effective February 1, 1973. The minimum rate will apply to all employees except students under the age of 18. The student rate will be $1.65 per hour. The minimum rate for construction employees will increase from $2.05 to $2.25. Guards on con- struction sites will receive the same rate. November 8, 1989 A person can see it on their faces when they talk about it: the enthusi- asm, the desire, the dream of working in a career they have always aspired to. For Bobbie Lee Edgett and David Hay- ter, two Central Huron Secondary School (CHSS) students involved in the high school's co-op program, the careers they are aspiring to are in the medical field. Bobbie Lee wishes to be a registered nurse and David a doctor. "The co-op program is a valuable expe- rience in the sense that it broadens students' horizons. It gives them a chance to see how and if they can handle the career they are looking toward. And if they find out that it is what they want to do, it gives them a real sense of direction," commented Pat Senn, a CHSS teacher who is in charge of the Human Services Co-op Stream (students who want careers that involve working with people). November 4, 1992 In 1931, after insistent representa- tion from The Canadian Legion, Parlia- ment amended the Armistice Day Act to ensure that November 11 would be set aside as a day distinct and apart from any other observance upon which the nation could pay special tribute. In 1970, an act, known as "The Holi- days Act; was passed by parliament which included, among other holi- days, Remembrance Day. Wednesday, November 11 is Remembrance Day and the 1992 Poppy Campaign has already begun. This national holiday is Canada's time to remember those extraordinary Canadians who gave their lives to fight for their nation, for peace and for freedom. With affection and admiration, Canadians remember the brutalities of war. With poppies, memorial wreaths, parades and quiet words at the cenotaph, Canada hon- ours these men and women. Remem- brance Day is not only for veterans to remember the past, but for the young to learn about and by it. November 6, 2002 A new photo display and computer presentation at the Clinton Legion will ensure the sacrifices of area veterans are remembered. Those visiting the Harry B. Miner branch of the Royal Canadian Legion can now view over 200 wartime photos of local men and women who served their country, or sit down at a computer and view a multi -media pres- entation of the photos. The idea for set- ting up the display came to Steve Cooke when he was asked by a family member about a photo he had on his computer of his uncle, Tom Cooke, dropping depth charges on a German sub during World War II.