Veterans enter political fray to help defeat the Harper Conservatives

OTTAWA, Aug. 17, 2015 /CNW/ - Frustrated by years of cutbacks and lack of support for returning soldiers, Canada's veterans are taking their battle to the political arena. They are calling on Canadians to support veterans by voting against Stephen Harper's Conservative government on Oct 19, 2015.

"This is our time to put the terrible treatment of Canada's heroes on the political landscape," said veteran Tom Beaver. "We want every Canadian to know the suffering injured veterans have experienced under Stephen Harper. Our voices must be heard."

The veterans are rallying under the banner of Anyone But Conservatives — Canadian Veterans Campaign 2015. This campaign will also feature social media, a web page, billboards and attendance at public meetings to raise veterans' issues. In the past week the campaign reached two million Canadians on Facebook.

Despite its rhetoric about supporting our military, the Harper government has consistently taken actions to the detriment of veterans including:

• Legislated away the right for injured veterans to receive a lifetime pension, substituting a lump sum payment. This leaves many injured veterans in poverty, many with few job prospects;
• Saved $3.9 million by closing nine Veteran Affairs offices while having the gall to spend $4.5 million for Hockey Night in Canada TV ads to tell Canadians how great a job they are doing to help veterans;
• Cut the veterans affairs workforce by more than 20 per cent (900 jobs) and clawed back $1.13 billion in unspent funds since 2006.

"Stephen Harper gave up on thousands of veterans in Canada by cutting pensions, closing offices and slashing budgets," said Beaver. "It's time for Canadians to give up on Stephen Harper and defeat his government."   

"Canada's veterans volunteered to serve our nation," said veteran Ron Clarke. "They went to war in our name. Upon returning home, they were betrayed and abandoned by this government. Why?"

To make a donation, please click here. See Harper's record here. Join us on Facebook here.

Authorized by Canadian Veterans ABC Campaign 2015.

SOURCE Canadian Veterans ABC Campaign 2015

Kevin Wilson at 1-778-683-0395 or email at [email protected]