Prince George veterans will have an opportunity to voice their concerns on Monday and Tuesday.
Veteran Affairs Canada will be at the legion to talk to veterans, and share more about the services they offer.
While the visit is welcome, people are concerned local veterans don’t have the help they need.
“We need service here… Initially they were going to put in a rep at Service Canada, but we don’t even have that now,” says Legion 43 President Bruce Gabriel, “They make themselves available for 3 or 4 days, but for a veteran that could have any type of medical issue or PTSD, which is quite common now, 3 or 4 days is quite often too late.”
Prince George’s Veteran Affairs office was closed in 2012 as part of a federal cost-cutting measure, but now veterans are left to pay the price.
“They expect someone to go down to Vancouver or Kelowna, but if they try to talk on the phone and the person has a hearing problem, there are frustrations on both ends,” explains Gabriel, “It could be the nicest person on the other end, but the bottom line is the veteran does not get the help they need.”
Several community members are still hopeful the Prince George chapter could re-open in the future.
According to a past report, Prince George had 15 active case files when the office closed.
Any veteran wishing to make an appointment to speak with Veterans Affairs on Monday or Tuesday can call 250-562-1292.