Local MP says re-opening of Veterans Affairs office still a priority

Roy Lamore says he’s waited two years for action on nine closed Veterans Affairs offices. Another year or so isn’t the end of the world.

The Second World War veteran on Wednesday said he’s just glad the federal government finally appears to be ready to reverse the decision made by the now-deposed Conservatives.

“I think it’s great, absolutely great,” Lamore said following the Remembrance Day ceremony at Thunder Bay’s Waverly Park.

“I went to Ottawa to fight for this. We’re fighting again, but this time we’ve got something worthwhile to get the veteran’s affairs offices back here. I just hope it works the way it’s been going.”

That’s the plan, said newly elected MP and Status of Women Minister Patty Hajdu, who laid a wreath on behalf of the federal government.
She cautioned it might not be the first order of business, but it’s definitely high on the Liberal government’s priority list.

“The commitment we made throughout the campaign and the Real Change Plan was to open all nine of the closed veterans offices across Canada and we are committed to doing that,” Hajdu said. “We’ll be moving forward with that.

“In terms of timelines, I don’t know. Cabinet just started to work.”

The Conservatives, citing financial constraints, closed Veterans Affairs offices across the country in early 2014, including Charlottetown, Windsor, Ont., Corner Brook, N.L., Sydney, N.S., Brandon, Man., Saskatoon and Thunder Bay.

Robert Cutbush, president of the Port Arthur Branch No. 5 of the Royal Canadian Legion, said Hajdu’s comments are welcome news.

“It’s promising to hear that the new government will open the nine offices that were closed. It’s the job of the Royal Canadian Legion, since 1921, to hold these promises, so we’ll hold their feet to the fire on that, for sure,” Cutbush said.

“We’ll keep reminding them that Thunder Bay services such a large district and there are veterans in this town that need that service. It needs to be restored.”