Calling all veterans

NEWS RELEASE

CAROL HUGHES, MP ALGOMA-MANITOULIN- KAPUSKASING

****************************** Hughes and Stoffer set to discuss NDP’s veterans-first motion

Public meetings to be held in Elliot Lake and Little Current

ELLIOT LAKE - Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes is proud to sponsor meetings for veterans with Sackville-Eastern Shores MP, Peter Stoffer.  Mr. Stoffer, long-time NDP veterans affairs critic, is an expert on the issues being faced by Canada’s veteran community.

Hughes and Stoffer will meet with veterans in Little Current and Elliot Lake on February 15 and 16, respectively.

The discussion will touch on a variety of issues including the proposed elimination of the “gold-digger” clause that prevents the spouses of re-married veterans from receiving pension benefits upon their death. 

Other items of interest include extending the veterans independence program (VIP) benefit to allow widows and widowers to qualify for home care benefits without exemption, and a proposed increase to the survivor’s pension plan from 50 percent to 66 percent, allowing widows and widowers to manage their basic living expenses.

“We need to work along with veterans to show them that their contributions, at home and abroad, are being not only recognized, but appreciated,” Hughes said. “We have been allowing our veterans to slip through the cracks when it comes to providing them with liveable pensions. New Democrats proposals would give them the benefits they sorely need to keep up with the current cost of living.”

Meetings are open to the public.

Veteran’s outreach forum

February 15 - Little Current 7 - 9 p.m. Royal Canadian Legion Branch 177 15 Vankoughnet St.   February 16 - Elliot Lake 2:30 - 4 p.m. Royal Canadian Legion Branch 561 10 Veteran’s Way

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