Supporting Social Programs for Communities

Provincial Government Responds to Closure of Veterans Affairs Office

The Provincial Government has once again expressed its concern to the Federal Government regarding the closure of the Veterans Affairs Office in Corner Brook.

Today, a letter was sent to the Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of Veterans Affairs, outlining the concerns of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians regarding this action by the Federal Government.

“All Canadians, no matter where they live, greatly respect our veterans and want them to continue to receive the highest quality service. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has asked that the Federal Government put protocols in place to ensure that the services offered to our valued veterans are in no way diminished.”
- The Honourable Tom Marshall, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

The Veterans Affairs Office in Corner Brook is slated to close today in conjunction with the offices in Sydney, Charlottetown, Thunder Bay, Windsor, Brandon, Saskatoon and Kelowna. The office in Prince George, B.C closed previously. Through recent correspondence, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has communicated that it is prepared to work
with the Federal Government towards a beneficial solution for all parties on this issue.

“In my initial letter to Minister Fantino, I asked for assurances that protocols will be put in place to ensure that the current service levels are maintained for our veterans. Minister Fantino acknowledged the letter and stated he would address the correspondence as soon as possible, but I have yet to receive a substantive response. Today, I wrote another letter outlining our veterans’ frustrations and once again, seeking assurances that current levels of service be maintained. I will be in Ottawa next week and intend to highlight the importance of federal presence in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
- The Honourable Steve Kent, Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs

Recent correspondence between Minister Kent and Minister Fantino is available at: //www.gov.nl.ca/releases/2014/ma/0131n09_ltr.pdf  

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to supporting important social programs, strong communities and the health and well-being of children, families and seniors.

QUICK FACTS

• The Provincial Government continues to press the Federal Government concerning the closure of the Veterans Affairs Office in Corner Brook.
• The Veterans Affairs Office in Corner Brook is slated to close in conjunction with the offices in Sydney, Charlottetown, Thunder Bay, Windsor, Brandon, Saskatoon and Kelowna. The office in Prince George, B.C closed previously.
• Minister Kent will be in Ottawa next week and will highlight the importance of a federal presence in Newfoundland and Labrador.

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2014 01 31             5:15 p.m.