NDP Finance Critic Nathan Cullen was in Prince George today campaigning with local Cariboo – PG candidate Trent Derrick.
Outside the Prince George Legion, the pair promised they would be reopening shuttered veterans affairs offices in PG and across the country.
Cullen, who is seeking his 5th term in the Skeena Bulkley Valley, says the offices were an important resource for veterans.
“We met with members from the Legion today, and we’ve been meeting with veterans for months who say that the personal contact was incredibly important. Many of the issues veterans are dealing with are very personal and complicated. A 1-800 line or some website is not going to suffice.”
The Conservative government says they closed the local offices because they were simply not being used.
“Hiding the office away in some fourth story building and then complaining that nobody comes in and uses those offices, well it’s a recipe designed for failure.” Cullen continued “Make the office accessible and make it something veterans know and can comfortably come in.”
Cullen added that the NDP is pledging $454 million over 4 years in funding for veterans services, focusing on providing better treatment for PTSD, mental health and long term care.
The Liberal Party of Canada has also promised to reopen the offices, along with their own funding reform package for veterans services coming in at $300 million a year.