Karygiannis welcomes Veterans Ombudsman’s Report on the New Veterans Charter

October 1, 2013

OTTAWA– The Honourable Jim Karygiannis, Member of Parliament for Scarborough–Agincourt and Liberal Critic for Veterans Affairs, welcomed the report of the Veterans Ombudsman, “Improving the New Veterans Charter.”

“As Members of Parliament begin the review of the New Veterans Charter, this report will be an extremely important framework on which to conduct our study,” said Mr. Karygiannis. “I congratulate the Ombudsman, Guy Parent, and his team on this comprehensive report.”

The Veterans Ombudsman released the report today which made twenty recommendations in three important areas – Financial Support, Vocational Rehabilitation and Assistance Support, and Family Support.

“With this report as our guide, I believe that we can create a document which will ensure that our veterans can live their lives with respect and dignity. They have given so much to ensure our way of life – we must not let them down,” Mr. Karygiannis commented.  “I believe that we must travel to the veterans and hear what they have to say. They are the people who are directly affected by the Charter and we must ensure that it meets all their needs.”

The Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs will begin the review of the New Veterans Charter when the House of Commons resumes sitting. This will be the first comprehensive review of the Charter since it became law.

“This review must be open and transparent. We must take the necessary time to ensure that we get it right,” Mr. Karygiannis stated. “I am going to hold the Minister to his word that he will work with Members of Parliament to ‘reach a common goal of better serving those who served Canada.’”