(OTTAWA) –A scathing report released today by Auditor General Michael Ferguson made it clear that the Harper Conservatives’ are failing Canada’s veterans and Canadians living in remote areas.
The Auditor General’s report looked at different federal departments and programs, including Veteran’s Affairs Canada, Aboriginal Affairs Canada, Library and Archives Canada, Industry Canada, The RCMP, and Foreign Affairs and Trade Development Canada.
Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada and Member of Parliament for Saanich – Gulf Islands, stated, “The Auditor General’s report has again shown that veterans who have put their lives on the line are being ignored. What is of great concern to me is that Veteran’s Affairs decided to return $1.1 billion back to the treasury rather than help our veterans – it’s no wonder mental health services for veterans have suffered.”
“The Conservatives are failing Canada’s veterans,” added Bruce Hyer, Deputy Leader of the Green Party of Canada and Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay – Superior North. “They have closed Veterans Affairs offices across the country, including in my riding of Thunder Bay-Superior North, leaving thousands of veterans without support.”
The report sharply condemned the complex application process and the large delays in determining eligibility for veterans who request mental health services. According to the report, 20% of veterans wait 8 or more months after they initially place a request for help with Veteran’s Affairs Canada.
The Auditor General expressed grave concerns regarding Library and Archives Canada in that future generations may not have access to Canada's recorded heritage compared to previous generations.
The Auditor explained that Library and Archives is not even aware of what records exist due to a huge backlog dating back as far as 1890.
“I am also stunned to learn about the unaccountable cancellation of the $15.4 million digital repository program for libraries and archives in Canada,” added Ms. May. “The end of building a comprehensive digital repository contradicts earlier talking points of enhanced digitization to justify the closure of several major research libraries. It also further confirms the contempt that the Harper Conservatives’ have for science and evidence-based decision making.”
"Under the Library and Archives of Canada Act, materials are protected as the documentary heritage of Canadians.”
The Auditor General’s report was also critical of the Nutrition North program operated by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada. The program was created to ensure that affordable, fresh, and healthy foods were available for people living in isolated communities. Currently, these communities pay almost twice as much for food than most other Canadians.
The report highlighted the lack of transparency and the lack of criteria to establish where subsides are allocated. Furthermore, it noted that the department does not know if subsidies provided to retailers are being passing on to families.
“The Auditor General’s report has zeroed in on how inefficient Nutrition North really is,” stated Mr. Hyer. “We need to stop putting money in the pockets of retailers and instead start putting it back into northern communities.”
“So far the program has done little to alleviate high food prices in isolated communities,” concluded Ms. May. “We must ensure that Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada identify which communities are in need of subsides to make sure that the program’s benefits get to the people who need it the most.”
-30-
For additional information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Julian Morelli
Director of Communications
Green Party of Canada
cell: (613) 614 4916
office: (613) 562 4916 (224)
julian.morelli@greenparty.ca