The official opposition veterans critic came to the area, speaking to war vets about the delays some experience in getting benefits after returning home.
Nova Scotia MP Peter Stoffer says government staff sometimes give vets a difficult time hoping they'll give up, which saves them money. "I've got veterans across the country denied a simple hearing aid. I've got a double amputee from Afghanistan , nine months to fill out the paper work to get a ramp," says Stoffer. "A double amputee should never have to fill out any forms at all. It should be automatic."
While in Windsor, Stoffer says the government needs to cut the bureaucratic tape when veterans apply for benefits. "Many, many veterans who are suffering from OSI (operational stress injury) or PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) just give up," he says. "They say to hell with it, I'm not dealing with these people. So, it's getting timely access to the benefits (and) knowing, first of all, what those benefits are."
Stoffer is urging veterans to keep fighting for improved benefits. He says the only way things will ever change is if the NDP forms government.
