By SooToday.com Staff
SooToday.com
Saturday, November 07, 2009

NEWS RELEASE

TONY MARTIN, MP

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Leading veterans advocate in Sault November 12 to meet vets, public

SAULT STE. MARIE - New Democrat MP Peter Stoffer (Sackville Nova Scotia), one of Canada's staunchest advocates for veterans whose work is recognized across party lines, will be here in November the day after Remembrance Day to meet with area veterans.

The public is also welcome.

Stoffer will meet veterans at 2 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25, 96 Northern Road.

Earlier, Mr. Stoffer and Sault MP Tony Martin will attend the weekly spaghetti and meatball lunch there also.

"Many veterans know Peter Stoffer's name and work on their behalf for just pensions, benefits and honours," Martin said. "He's the New Democrats' veteran affairs critic and the vets are happy to have him in the trenches with them fighting their fight."

Mr. Stoffer, born in the Netherlands, was first elected in 1997.

His work has been recognized in Macleans Magazine selecting him as Most Collegial MP and Best Constituency MP.

Among Mr. Stoffer's recent work for veterans in the 40th Parliament are the following:

- Writing the Minister of Veterans Affairs about the need to update legislation to allow modern day veterans, RCMP veterans and their families access to long term care beds at veterans' hospitals or other designated veterans' care facilities.

- Urging the government to implement his Veterans First Motion, passed in Parliament in 2006. Stoffer's motion would extend the Veterans Independence Program to all veterans and widows, eliminate the gold-digger clause (marriage after 60) that prevents widows from receiving CF pension and health benefits, an end to the claw back of SISIP (Service Income Security Insurance Plan -Long Term Disability) payments to injured veterans, an end to the claw back to RCMP and CF service pensions, and an increase to survivor's pensions from 50 to 66 percent.

- Holding a July press conference with several CF and RCMP veterans to promote the need for the federal government to develop Health Care Centres of Excellence for modern day veterans, RCMP, and their families. With the rapid passing of our Korean and WWII veterans, it is time to open up discussions about the future of our facilities that specialize in veterans' care. Stoffer said: "These specialized centres provide a unique model of care that can assist veterans with specific physical and psychological injuries and needs. We must ensure that all Canadian Forces and RCMP veterans and their families have access to this type of care."

- Pressing the federal government for a public inquiry for victims of Agent Orange spraying at CGB Gagetown. 

Stoffer is also a legend on Parliament Hill on many counts, including hosting an all-party party honouring MPs' staffs, arranging an annual rugby match between MPs and media and for his Ottawa office collection of hundreds of baseball caps which MPs contribute to after a dartboard challenge.

While here, he will attend the Sault Ste. Marie NDP federal riding association nomination meeting as the guest speaker.

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