Dear Editor:
My dad never spoke about his experience as a Second World War prisoner of the Japanese, but I know he lost much of his body weight, was tortured, had his appendix removed by a doctor using only a razor blade and suffered from every imaginable jungle disease doing slave labour his captors.
Stories like this make us revere the sacrifice of our veterans. That's why I'm writing in reply to your Nov. 10 editorial, More Than Poppies, which alleged that the Harper government is failing to provide some services for our veterans.
Since taking office, this government has increased funding by almost $4.7 billion and 90 per cent of the department's budget goes towards direct services and support for veterans. For returning veterans who require help, income replacement ensures designated veterans' annual income stays at a rate of at least 75 per cent of prerelease military salary.
Visit johnweston.ca for more details. Our government is making a concentrated effort to reduce red tape for veterans. I welcome veterans to let us know where we can perform better, in this or other areas.
John Weston, MP
West Vancouver - Sunshine Coast - Sea to Sky Country
