September 12, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MISSISSAUGA, ON - Today's announcement of compensation for victims of Agent Orange spraying at CFB Gagetown does not come close to fulfilling the government's promise to Canada's veterans, Liberal MP Albina Guarnieri observed today.

"They are making modest payments to a minimal number of people," Ms. Guarnieri noted, "This contrasts sharply with the promise made by Stephen Harper in the last election of "full and fair" compensation for person's exposed to defoliant spraying from 1956-1984. After making a promise to 150 thousand veterans worth 3 billion dollars, 97 percent of at-risk veterans have been left out."

Ms Guarnieri pointed out that it was the current Veterans Affairs Minister, Greg Thompson, who led the Conservative grandstanding on this issue while in Opposition: "Greg Thompson told Veterans that he didn't believe in more studies, and that the Conservatives would provide blanket compensation. Today we see a broad election promise being narrowed by a stunning 97%".

Ms. Guarnieri also questioned why the Conservatives have chosen to limit compensation to only those who were still alive on the day that the Conservative government was sworn into office. "February 6, 2006 is a date chosen for crass political purposes. Clearly, many of the most seriously impacted by Agent Orange could have died in the first fourty years since exposure. Thompson clearly believes that their widows and surviving children who have lost the most, should receive the least"

It shouldn't have taken two years of delay to deliver so little to so few.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Robert Cline
Executive Assistant
Office of The Hon. Albina Guarnieri, P.C., M.P.
613-614-7670