QUESTION PERIOD — National Defence
Dedication of Afghanistan War Memorial
May 28, 2019
Honourable senators, my question today is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate.
Senator Harder, I was saddened and appalled by the government’s decision to unveil the Afghanistan Memorial Hall in secret. Veterans and families of those who gave their lives for Canada are rightly outraged that their cenotaph — their cenotaph — is hidden from public view. Only after negative media reports, General Vance apologized and claimed it was all his fault.
However, Minister Sajjan attended the ceremony, so his office must have known of it and has been involved in the decision making. This is yet another example of the Trudeau government politicizing public servants by sending them out to clean up his political mistakes.
Sir, apologies aren’t enough. When will the government step up and honour our veterans and ensure full public access to their monument?
I thank the honourable senator for her question. It follows almost directly the expression of questions yesterday, which I answered in respect of this matter.
Let me repeat that I think all senators would wish the appropriate recognition, respect for and commemoration of those who served in Afghanistan, in particular, those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. We do so recognizing many of our veterans are still scarred by the experience, both physically and mentally, and that we should do everything as a country to not only support our veterans but to honour their commitment.
Yesterday I quoted at length from the statement of the Chief of the Defence Staff. In my judgment, the CDS is sincere with respect to his desire to act in a more transparent and appropriate fashion. That is what he is committed to and what the government is anxious to have implemented.
Thank you for the answer, Senator Harder. I recognize that you did answer these questions most fulsomely yesterday. It’s not an issue that’s going to go away. It’s not an issue that our veterans and our military can easily forget.
General Vance has apologized, but what will this government do to ensure our veterans have full access to what is rightfully their monument? How many times will General Vance be this government’s fall guy and take the blame for the Trudeau government’s treatment of our military?
Without in any way accepting the premise of the question, let me suggest that none of us should stop asking the questions which are asked entirely appropriately until we feel that all of the commitments that General Vance has made on behalf of his department and the veterans who we are honouring are fulfilled. I welcome the questions, to the extent that they remind those concerned that there remain parliamentarians who will be vigilant to ensure the commitments made become commitments kept.
