Kenneth H. Young
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Dear Mr.Ignatieff, I am one of the many Veterans who had their lives and health altered at CFB Gagetown because of the numerous toxic chemical defoliants used there. This has continued to be a problem for many reasons, not the least of which may have more to do with MP's and past PM's parents and/or relatives involvement in portfolios which should have stopped the spraying or taken care of its victims. You sir are in the enviable position of not only not having been in government while the atrocity was taking place but also that there is to my knowledge non of your family involved in what transpired in CFB Gagetown between 1956 and 1984. You may be one of the only political leaders today who can fix this issue without any need to see if you would be trashing your own family or if there might be some guilt that would fall at your own feet. Having said this I wonder why you and your office hasn't come out in support of the Canadian Veterans who have been affected by what can only be described as indiscriminate chemical use and a somewhat shoddy chemical registration process which took place in the 50's through the 80's. The general attitude that because it is before the courts, Ottawa won't even talk about it is somewhat backwards because if Ottawa had bothered to take care of the victims, it wouldn't even be before the courts. Soldiers love their country and are very reluctant to take Ottawa to court but have been left with no other course of action. Ottawa has refused to even acknowledge that they made an honest mistake, VAC has because of this refused any Gagetown Chemical pension clamed, Workman's comp and CPP refuse to deal with the problem while many soldiers die or loose everything they have spent a lifetime to achieve due to the costs of medications and other medical expenses. There are somewhere in the neighborhood of one million voters who are going to vote with veterans issues in mind. More 440,000 for the Gagetown issue alone. It would seem prudent for you to state your position on Veterans issues and most notably the CFB Gagetown issue if you wish any of these votes to go your way in the up coming or next Federal election. Remember Canada is watching you, in fact on the Gagetown issue the whole world is watching. Cpl. Kenneth H. Young CD (ret)
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