Veteran AffairsBy: Paul Young, CPA, CGA

Veteran Affairs Spending from 2013-2014 and 2012 and 2013

Veteran Affairs Expense Analysis 2012-2014

Veteran Affairs Spending for 2014-2015

Budget from 2014-2017

Commentary• There have been extensive and considerable improvements in services, programs and benefits for most veterans. There has also been a budget increase and an additional $4.7

Billion invested in such things by the current government since 2006. The government has also legislated on priority hiring for veterans in the federal civil service -- something the lefties won't talk about because the unions don't like it. Is there more work to do? Sure. But it won't be achieved through vilification and hyperbole. I personally find that these infographics are helpful ways to provide context when folks resort to that sort of thing.

• http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/news/vac-responds/info-graphics/before-after-nvc

• http://globalnews.ca/news/1687415/additional-200m-announced-for-military-mental-health-programs-over-6-years/?hootPostID=6f2d83f608f12062709f617ae1ba4b98

• http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/about-us/reports/departmental-financial-statements/2013-14#s20

• http://thechronicleherald.ca/opinion/1251141-leger-veterans%E2%80%99-anti-tory-operation-could-backfire

• http://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2014/12/09/harper-partially-disowns-veterans-charter-as-opposition-demands-fantino-resign/#.VIewsjHF_Mq

• http://www.veterans.gc.ca/pdf/deptReports/rpp/2014-2015/vac-acc-web-pdf-eng.pdf

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• In 1997-1998 the federal government spent 1.9B on veterans affairs (https://www.fin.gc.ca/budget95/fact/facts.pdf and actually cut $232M from the 1994-1995 budget. The Conservatives are now spending $3.5B on veteran’s affairs (http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/about-us/reports/departmental-financial-statements/2013-14#s30).

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• So, I went the veterans affairs site and review the statement of operations as such I was able to see funding from 2007-2008 started at $3.2B and now is at $3.5B in 2013. On average the federal government increase expenses by about 2% per year over that time frame.

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• It hard to go back to LPC era as information is fragmented as such difficult to fine. However, the evidence that I have found was the Federal Government recognized a problem in 2001 as such was looking at the funding for Veterans Affairs (http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/about-us/reports/five-year-plans/2001-2006/2004-update). There was no details on any funding increases within the document.

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• I welcome links that support the LPC actually improve benefits and/or lives of veterans!

Liberal Party of Canada Stance

• http://thechronicleherald.ca/opinion/1251141-leger-veterans%E2%80%99-anti-tory-operation-could-backfire

Paul Martin 1995 Budget