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News Release

Canadian Forces Ombudsman Welcomes Government Response to Latest Special Report

Ottawa, November 2, 2006 – Department of National Defence and Canadian Forces Ombudsman, Yves Côté, today welcomed the response of the Government of Canada to the recommendations in his latest special report.

On November 1, the Ombudsman released Heroism Exposed, a report detailing the unacceptable treatment received by members of 1 Combat Engineer Regiment who served in Kuwait in 1991, and whose concerns about environmental exposure and subsequent health problems were systematically ignored by the Canadian Forces.

Shortly after the Ombudsman released his special report, the Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Gordon O’Connor, responded to questions in the House of Commons:

“Mr. Speaker, I met with the Ombudsman and reviewed his report and I have ordered our department to implement the changes immediately,” stated Mr. O’Connor. He added, “We will not treat soldiers like they were treated in the past. We will make sure that from now on and into the future they will be treated properly when they return from missions.”

In response to another question on the Ombudsman’s special report, Prime Minister Stephen Harper stated:

“Once again, Mr. Speaker, the Minister of National Defence indicated that the government will accept the report. The treatment of veterans, in this case, was unacceptable to this government and we are going to correct the situation.”

The Ombudsman’s special report includes nine recommendations aimed specifically at improving the way in which the Canadian Forces communicates and documents concerns related to environmental exposure on international military operations.

“I am very pleased with the quick and positive response to our recommendations from the Prime Minister and the Minister of National Defence,” stated Mr. Côté. “Our military members need to know – and truly believe – that if they go on a mission healthy and return sick, Canada will take care of them and their family. Unfortunately for 1 Combat Engineer Regiment veterans, this was not the case,” added the military Ombudsman.

Additional information on the Ombudsman’s special report can be found online at the following address: www.ombudsman.forces.gc.ca.

For additional information, please contact:

Darren Gibb
Director of Communications
Office of the Ombudsman
Tel.: 613-992-6962

Michelle Laliberté
Communications Advisor
Office of the Ombudsman
Tel: 613-995-8643

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