TUESDAYJUNE 18, 2013
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Gold 2012 General Excellence
INSPIRED TO SHOOT
HONOURING HIS DEDICATION
Local photographer enjoying his gallery and his community
Rod Banks served for more than 45 years on Parksville’s fire department
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VETERANS’ AFFAIRS
Last Post fund snag More than 20,000 vets rejected from 2006-12 NEIL HORNER news@pqbnews.com
After putting their lives on the line for Canada, Judy Foote says the least the country can do for its veterans is ensure they can get a proper funeral. However, says the Liberal MP for Random-Burin-St. George’s in Ontario, a program to ensure this happens has a significant gap — and the Conservative government, including local MP James Lunney — appears unwilling to close it. The program in question is the Last Post Fund, which was set up in 1909 to ensure that all Canadian veterans are given a decent burial, even if the veteran in question has limited means. However, the program does not cover any veterans who served after the Korean War, meaning, Foote said, 20,147 veterans were rejected by the program between 2006 and 2012. On Wednesday, Foote tabled a motion in the House of Commons calling on the federal government to expand the eligibility for the program to include all veterans. “The Last Post Fund is an important program, with a goal to ensure that no eligible veteran is denied a dignified funeral and burial, as well as a military gravestone, due to insufficient funds at time of death,” Foote said in the House. “Unfortunately, the Last Post Fund is far from ensuring that all veterans in need receive a dignified funeral and burial because the program is forced to apply outdated eligibility criteria.” Foote’s motion, first tabled in January, called for the $3,600 rate in the fund to be increased, for veterans who served after the Korean War be included and that the financial eligibility criteria be updated. See LUNNEY, page A4
BRIAN ARGYLE PHOTO
RUNNER UP: A fantastic weekend in Qualicum Beach wrapped up with trophies being presented in the Seaside Cruisers’ Father Day Show and Shine. Above, Gordon Evans of Kamloops stands with his Tangerine Pearl 1935 Ford two-door Slantback sedan, which was runner-up in the Best of Show category. To see more than 250 photos of the cars from the weekend, please visit our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/PQBNews. You can also turn to page A25 of this edition to see more photos from the weekend.
DEBATE OVER DEVELOPMENT IN QUALICUM BEACH
Residents want more consultation JOHN HARDING
editor@pqbnews.com
The Qualicum Beach Residents’ Association says its wants “more meaningful discussion” between developers and residents before projects are even considered by town council.
Luxury at a Fraction of the Cost
The association will host a public forum Thursday, June 20 at 7 p.m. at the Civic Centre. The forum’s title is Growth and Development in Qualicum Beach: Towards Positive Dialogue Between Residents and Developers.
The QBRA says the meeting is intended to explore ways of encouraging positive consultation between developers and local residents prior to the submission of large development or re-zoning applications to town council.
See EXPERTS, page A4
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www.sunriseresortparksville.ca I info@sunriseresortparksville.ca I 1-866-812-3224