Veterans group calls for Anders’ resignation
Posted Mar 6, 2012 05:04:40 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A Nova Scotia-based veterans group is calling for a Calgary MP to apologize to its group and resign from the Veterans Affairs Committee in the House of Commons.
MP Rob Anders fell asleep during the Veterans Emergency Transition Services (VETS) presentation to the committee during a meeting in Halifax last week.
When confronted, Anders called the group “NDP hacks” and supporters of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“There are thousands of vets across the country who definitely want this man to step down,” said VETS president Jim Lowther. “He called us Communists. Really? Communists? That’s probably the worst thing you could call a Canadian soldier.”
The Prime Minister’s Office issued a press release Friday apologizing for the comments, and Veterans Affairs Minister Steven Blaney addressed the issue in the House of Commons Monday.
Lowther said that’s not good enough. He said he and his group should have received a more personal apology last week.
“I’m way past the point of him giving me a call,” Lowther told the Rick Howe Show Monday. “I want him to apologize in the House of Commons and I want him to step down in the House of Commons and do the right thing.”
The volunteer-run group is credited with helping homeless veterans connect with social services.
During its presentation, VETS suggested Canada should look to other countries – such as the United States, the United Kingdom and Russia – which have programs to help veterans transition from military service to civilian life.
Fellow committee member Peter Stoffer is supporting the group in its demands.
“It’s nothing short of miraculous that these volunteers are doing the work that government should be doing,” Stoffer told the talk show. “For a member of parliament to insult them in that manner is simply unforgivable.”
The group is also receiving support from an Ottawa law firm which has reportedly offered to sue Anders for his comments on their behalf.
