SASKATOON – Saskatoon’s Veterans Affairs office may re-open within a year, according to its new federal minister. The move comes after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised to re-open a number of offices during the campaign.
“Veteran affairs issues really fits in that area of a campaign promise that you cannot, not deliver on,” said Greg Poelzer, a University of Saskatchewan political studies professor.
“You have to deliver on this one.”
READ MORE: Veterans Affairs offices to reopen within a year: Hehr
The Saskatoon Veterans Affairs office closed in January 2014. At the time, officials said they hoped to consolidate services.
“It’s been just frustrating to deal with somebody over a call centre, to try to get effective treatment,” said military veteran Cary Tarasoff, who protested the closure.
“Having somebody nearby has been a godsend in the years past.”
Tarasoff said he was injured while training during his time of service. He added that he’s most thankful that local combat veterans will soon have a place to go to.
“That they commit to trying to do something is better than pretending that it doesn’t need to be done,” said Tarasoff, about the Liberal government.
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