Trouble in Paradise.
FYI: This year is the 50th anniversary of the Cyprus Peacekeeping mission,
called Operation "TOSCA" by the UK Ministry of Defense. It has been the
longest running military operation for Britain and Canada in the post WWII
period. Many nations contribute troops to staff the UN peacekeeping force on
Cyprus (UNFICYP), but the majority have always come from the UK and Canada.
Over the past 50 years, 178 peacekeeping soldiers were killed in UNIFCYP
service.
KINGSTON, Ont. -- A retired Kingston-area RCMP officer is calling for the
federal government to stop what he calls "discrimination" between different
groups of veterans.
Eric Rebiere, whose 24-year career in the federal police force ended in
2006, two years after being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder
after taking part in NATO policing missions in Croatia and Kosovo, said the
government should have one standard for all people who served in military
operations, including RCMP officers who volunteered for policing missions.
"They have created sub-classes of veterans, and that is discriminatory under
the (Veteran) Charter," Rebiere said.
"To say we're not veterans is an insult."
At a rally on Parliament Hill earlier this month, Rebiere spoke about how
the RCMP has for more than a century participated in Canada's military
ventures.
Like other retired RCMP officers, Rebiere is covered by the Pension Act and
receives monthly payments, but can't access many of the programs Canadian
Forces veterans have.
In a letter, Veterans Affairs Minister Steve Blaney said the RCMP is not
covered by his department's mandate and does not qualify for the same
benefits as military veterans.
"Veterans Affairs Canada has been partnering with the RCMP for more than 60
years in the provision of certain benefits," Blaney wrote. "However, the
RCMP members are not included in the Department of Veterans Affairs Act."
By Epictetus
No comments:
Post a Comment