Media Releases

Liberals Work to Address Mental Health Care Needs for Canadian Soldiers

May 16, 2008

OTTAWA – Liberal members of the Standing Committee on National Defence passed a motion yesterday asking the Auditor General to conduct a thorough review of the availability of mental health services for Canadian Forces personnel, in an effort to ensure that our soldiers have access to best health care resources possible.

“There’s absolutely no doubt in anyone’s mind that our soldiers serving in combat in Afghanistan have performed above and beyond any expectations,” said Liberal Defence Critic Bryon Wilfert. “We have a responsibility as Members of Parliament to ensure that whatever resources are necessary for those soldiers returning from combat are made available to them.”

In April 2007, Ontario Ombudsman André Marin reported that the Federal government had a “moral responsibility” to help fund mental healthcare services on and around Canadian Forces bases. Following that report, Federal Auditor General Sheila Fraser raised serious concerns in her October 30, 2007, report regarding the current state of military health care, finding that the Canadian Forces were unable to even ensure that all medical practitioners on military bases were fully licensed to practice medicine.

“This Conservative government has received two damning reports, and has taken no action to address these problems. This government’s priority should be to support the health and welfare of our soldiers and their families,” said Mr. Wilfert.