Veterans taking spraying compensation to candidates
Published Friday September 26th, 2008
Veterans and their families are taking their war to have the federal government's Agent Orange compensation package expanded to politicians looking for votes.
Fredericton's Gerry McKay, who was posted at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown when the U.S. military sprayed Agent Orange in 1960s, has talked to the candidates and has this message for them.
"I am going to vote for the individual who, at least, mentions this problem and tries to get it out in the open right now, while the election is going on," McKay said.
He said he meets all the criteria for compensation except possibly one - his Type 2 diabetes may not have been diagnosed within the parameters defined by the federal government in its $95.6-million compensation package announced last fall.
He has applied nonetheless.
Those who qualify and meet medical requirements are eligible for a one-time, $20,000 ex-gratia payment.
Under the plan, only veterans and civilians who worked on or lived within five kilometres of Gagetown in 1966-67, and those who have at least one of 12 illnesses associated with Agent Orange, can apply.
Monetary awards will also be considered for primary caregivers of qualifying individuals who died on or after Feb. 6, 2006 - the date the Tory government took office.
Bette Hudson, who speaks for the Lincoln-based Widows on the War Path, said her group has met with some of the candidates, including Veterans Affairs Minister Greg Thompson, regarding having the compensation package expanded.
"I am a bit more confident, certainly," Hudson said.
"It doesn't matter who really takes over ... we'll be there and we'll continue to fight."
But Thompson, the Conservative candidate for New Brunswick Southwest, said the compensation matter for all intents and purposes is closed.
"I think we have dealt conclusively with it," Thompson said.
"I believe we have honoured our commitment and done the very best that we could possibly do on that file."
Thompson said the only change that might come is the expiry date for the program could be extended beyond the April deadline.
Fredericton Conservative candidate Keith Ashfield said, if elected, he's ready to talk to anyone and listen to their concerns.
Listening to the concerns of those affected, however, isn't good enough, said Nancy MacIntosh, the Liberal candidate for New Brunswick Southwest.
She said the Tory window of eligibility has to go.
"That is particularly reprehensible to me," MacIntosh said.
"I fully support the Widows on a War Path. I think it should be a much more realistic date."
Fredericton Liberal candidate David Innes said he also wants more people included in the compensation package.
The Green party, which is running candidates in both ridings - Mary Lou Babineau in Fredericton and Robert Boucher in New Brunswick Southwest - wants a public inquiry into the matter and better compensation for those affected.
NDP candidates for Fredericton and New Brunswick Southwest - Jesse Travis and Andrew Graham - are also calling for more money and a public inquiry.
That's good news to Bill Gerdson, vice-president of the Agent Orange Association of Canada.
"We seek a full judicial public inquiry as the means to ensure truth, accountability, justice and compensation for all those persons who are sick, who are dying and who have died, as well as for those families who have suffered the loss of loved ones," Gerdson said.
In the meantime, Fredericton's Joyce Bustard said all she has at this point is hope that the politicians will come through for her and do the right thing.
Her late husband Keith Hanson, a member of the Black Watch Regiment, was at CFB Gagetown during the Agent Orange spraying but didn't qualify for the Tories' compensation deal.
"I have everything, even a letter in which they (the military) stated they knew he was there," Bustard said. "The right date - that's the only thing I didn't have."
Bustard said the experience has made her angry and, as things stand now, that emotion is stronger than the hope she is so desperately clinging to.
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