Veterans in Canada are being treated worse than some of the countries we are trying to free.
 
I know that above statement sounds strong, but, it is true.  The way our nation treats it's Veterans is so poor that many are our committing suicide!  Infact, I personally know 4 Veterans that have committed suicide in the past two years.

Suicide even affects our active forces, but to a much lesser extent. Based on military police reports, the average suicide rate among active Canadian Forces military members, both regular and reserve, between 1994 and 2007 was 16 per year. But the number of suicides among members of the military rose to 20 in 2006 and then jumped even higher to 36 in 2007.

What troubles me is there has been an abrupt change in the terms the military reports used to describe suicide in documents. The 36 suicides in 2007 were listed as sudden deaths, with 12 clearly marked suicide and 21 cases listed as "investigated." National Defence officials did not dispute that the document is a suicide list, but did not respond to requests from media to explain the new categories.

I know the rates of suicide amongst our veterans is much higher and is specifically because of the treatment they get by one of the biggest and most un-accountable bureaucracies in Canada, and no I am not talking about Revenue Canada, but Veterans Affairs.

Those of you that know me, know me as a Veteran. I have a heart for Veterans as evidenced by the launching of VeteransOfCanada.ca with our "Support Beyond the Uniform" initiative. We have created an online environment for veterans which includes a business directory for discounts for those who have served and are serving, a Job bank to help them get much needed income into their bank accounts and even a "Members-Only" Community where they can search for and connect with old buddies and friends.

Lifetime memberships are always FREE for our Canadian Heroes.  Our membership draws from an estimated 2.7 million Canadians who are comprised of active, released and retired members of Canada's uniformed services in defence, security, enforcement and emergency health services.  The list of potential members includes the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Canadian Forces, Police Officers, Correctional Services, Firefighters, Coast Guard,
Paramedics and Peace Officers.

We have come a long way and have definitely provided value for our members, however, we have realized that there is still a void in what needs to be done for our members and those that serve our cities, provinces and nation.

Issues facing our Veterans ranging from Gulf War Illness, SISIP Clawback, Red Tape, Annuity Benefit Reductions to a Veteran Ombudsman that reports to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and not to Parliament.

We need to change the way Veterans are treated, we need to stop the suicides.  I know first hand the issues Veterans face as I suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a direct result of my United Nations tour to in the former Yugoslavia.  I have lost friends, ended up in divorce, destroyed relationships, spent hours in counselling, thousands on medication and I have finally come to the conclusion that I need to do something and have compassion for others instead of wallowing in self pity.  My anger turned inwards was leaving me in a depressed state. I realize that I am not the only one with issues and the best way to help myself is to help others first. I am still angry, not at others, but at a system that is failing our Veterans.
 
VeteransOfCanada.ca will now be lobbying on behalf of Veterans to solve issues on their behalf. This will be a long fight, but, we can no longer sit on the sidelines and allow bureaucrats to destroy lives.  Our first campaign is to bring accountability to the system and the issues are as follows:

• Make the The Office of the Veterans Ombudsman responsible and report to Parliament - This office was "...created to ensure the fair treatment of concerns raised by the Veterans, their representatives, and their families as they relate to Veterans Affairs, the Veterans Bill of Rights and the New Veterans Charter. The Veterans Ombudsman is an independent officer that reports directly to the Minister of Veterans Affairs"   This office is not independent, as it reports directly to the Minister of Veterans Affairs. Complaints are not taken seriously and the office is merely serving the will of the party in government at the time.  This must change!

• Make the The Office of the Ombudsman National Defence and Canadian Forces responsible and report to Parliament - Appointed by the Governor in Council, the Ombudsman acts under authority delegated by the Minister of National Defence pursuant to Section 5 of the National Defence Act. The Ombudsman reports directly to the Minister of National Defence. Again there is no accountability and party politics comes into play.

• We will be writing and calling all MP's to get support on this first issue and getting it brought forth in the House of Commons.

• We will be asking our members and business supporters to send emails and also make calls in support of our efforts

• We will be selling new supporter memberships to business for $200 and indviduals of $100 per year to help us achieve our objectives. This money will cover our administrative costs and time spent on this campaign.

Our success depends on the generous support of Canadians like you.

Let's stop the suicides. I urge you to call today and join our organization with the above suggested amounts or another amount you can manage. For your convenience we do accept Visa and MasterCard.

Help us end the suicides and bring accountability to a bureacracy that is out of control.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Don Leonardo
Veteran / Founder / CEO VeteransofCanada.ca
Phone: (403) 980-HERO (4376)

Address: 2945 Kingsview Blvd. SE, PO Box 10002 - Airdrie, AB T4B 0H4

PS Below are some quotes from articles discussing suicides among Veterans.  Veteran Affairs is not listening and we need to fight so these suicides stop. Help us and call us now at 403-980-HERO (4376).

“The former sailor, who developed post-traumatic stress disorder during his 18 years of service, said his financial troubles began after he was kicked out of the military in 2002, handed a small pension and later told the bulk of it would be clawed back...He had just bought a house and had been living off RRSPs to support his family. With his benefits cut and his money woes mounting, Zwicker said he turned to drugs, alcohol and gambling, ultimately trying to commit suicide three times before getting help”.
January 14, 2009 – Canadian Press

“Schouten was suffering a flashback, another in a series of erratic, sometimes psychotic, behaviours that have included three suicide attempts, alcohol abuse, insomnia and delusions”.
January 14, 2008 – Toronto Star

“Investigators are still working to piece together the circumstances of the 30-year-old's death Thursday, meaning few details about the incident or Maj. Mendes herself are being released. However, a military spokesman here did say that "enemy action has been ruled out...It remains unclear whether the weapon was discharged accidentally or not”.
April 24, 2009, - Globe & Mail

“A Canadian soldier who had a foot blown off in Afghanistan has died of an apparent suicide, raising questions about the distress faced by combat troops. Private Frédéric Couture of the Royal 22nd Regiment died on Wednesday at his parents' home”.
November 16, 2007 – Globe & Mail