Fix it and forget it

Military considers increasing funeral coverage
By MURRAY BREWSTER

OTTAWA (CP) - The family of at least one Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan had to shoulder part of the cost of burying their son last year because the Defence Department's funeral stipend wasn't enough.

And there appear to be other cases.

The injustice has prompted the military to ask the federal Treasury Board for a formal increase in the allowance, a request that will be considered this week, The Canadian Press has learned.

Long story short, the problem has now been identified and should be rectified immediately. Further on in the article, I came across this:

Ontario Liberal MP Dan McTeague says it's unacceptable the department had to be prodded by families and now the media into taking action.

"For a Canadian hero to have given their life; it is clear we do not respect the life and properly mourn the loss of a modern day hero by short-changed on funeral expenses," he said.

"If you're going to honour the lives of those who have given so much for the freedoms of our nation, the last thing you should do is penny-pinch and navel-gaze about the cost. Soldiers have heard their country's call to action and are prepared to give everything, including their lives and back home the bean-counters seem interested in saving a few bucks"

"I think Canadians will find this fact disgusting."

As Parliament reconvenes this week, the last quote concerns me. For once, let's simply make this an issue that has been identified and quickly resolved in favour of our troops. This is not a situation that should be taken advantage of by any of the political parties. Leave the partisan rhetoric aside for a day. The last thing I want to hear is the Conservatives bellowing - see, the Liberals didn't get it done and the NDP/Liberals screeching about why the government is ignoring families in their time of need.

For all of you - just do it.

The Sitemeter logs give proof that enough staffers from all the various parties and departments visit The Torch on a regular basis.

The last time the funeral rates were adjusted was in 1990. The fact that nothing has been done regarding this issue for the next 17 years is something every politician should seriously consider before trying to use it for political advantage.

Let's look at it another way. How many times and by how much has a federal politician's wages, benefits and pensions been increased in the last 17 years versus those serving in the Canadian Forces?

Fix it and forget it. It's the right thing to do.

Cross posted to BBS