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JANUARY 22, 2015
Two sections, 36 pages
100milefreepress.net
Advocates dubious about new veteran’s minister
PREPPING FOR SKIING
WINTER GAMES TORCH VISITS 100 MILE HOUSE
Local legion president disappointed with federal government
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The voice of the South Cariboo since 1960 How to reach us: Ph: 250-395-2219 Fax: 250-395-3939 www.100milefreepress.net mail@100milefreepress.net Angie Mindus photo
150 Mile House residents Ruedi Baumann and his three-year-old daughter, Noemi, 3, geared up to take on the bunny hill at the Mt. Timothy Ski Area recently. The recent dumps of snow has allowed the operators to open up several runs on the hill.
ment has decided it is not going to stand by its promise and look after these guys. That is what is happening.” Wangensteen says the Conservative government’s approach to veterans is “don’t call us, we’ll call you” and “don’t let the door hit your [butt] on the way out.” Carole Rooney An example of this is Free Press the changes it made in the New Veteran’s Charter The recent move to that gives today’s young boot Julian Fantino out veterans with serious injuand replace him with ries or mental illness a Erin O’Toole as Veterans lump-sum payment under Affairs Minister has some an expectation they make advocates doubtful he will it last the rest of their life, be enough of an improve- he adds. ment. “Veterans are told govRoyal Canadian Legion ernment will look after Branch #260-100 Mile you, but they are not [being House president looked after].” Bob Wangensteen O’Toole is a says O’Toole will veteran who flew have to prove himas a tactical naviself. gator on a Sea So far, WangenKing helicopter steen agrees with with the Royal the stance taken Canadian Air by the Canadian Force until 2000, BOB Veterans Advocacy WANGENSTEEN when he joined the (CVA) and other reserve. veterans advocate groups. Before becoming min“They are not happy ister, O’Toole helped start with [O’Toole for] not rec- a foundation that raisognizing some veteran’s es money in support of groups again. We’ll have to veterans’ programming, see how it plays out.” and organized a mentalWangensteen notes health awareness event last advocate groups must spring. be on an approved list “Now that he’s in power, of registered lobbyists everything changes,” says in order to voice concerns Wangensteen. to a federal government “There was a lot of hope ear. first off when Fantino was “I think it is more of dumped and they got a a Conservative thing to veteran in there, but this not give [the veterans] guy is following basicalanything. It doesn’t really ly the same program as make a difference who Fantino was. It’s just more is in charge, the govern- of the same.”