CREDIT: MARKSPOWART / ISTOCK EDITORIAL / THINKSTOCK
Prime Minister Trudeau promises free education to veterans and to re-establish lifelong pension for those injured while in service.

Although Remembrance Day has come and gone, it is important to look back on our fallen soldiers who fought for our country and freedom for more than just one day a year. Veterans, and those involved in wars that are going on today, are also part of the political schedule.

According to the Canadian Veterans Anyone But Conservatives (ABC), “Between 2006 and 2014, the Conservative government clawed back more than $1 billion” from veterans.

A Toronto Star article dated Sept. 16, 2014, released shocking news that, “The armed forces have lost more personnel to suicide than those killed in combat in Afghanistan.”

“These men and women are neglected in the Canadian Armed Forces and then completely abandoned as veterans,” said former Liberal MP Frank Valeriote in the Toronto Star article.

Retired Lt. General Andrew Leslie released a statement endorsing Justin Trudeau for Prime Minister stating, “No veteran should ever be forced to fight their government for the support and compensation they have earned. Our veterans deserve respect, support and a real chance at a bright future once they leave active service.”

Liberal Party leader and current Prime Minister Trudeau made big promises to veterans during his campaign.

Among other promises, he vowed to re-establish lifelong pensions for injured veterans, invest $25 million to expand access to the Permanent Impairment Allowance and invest $80 million per year to create a new Veterans Education Benefit that provides full support for the cost of up to four years of college, university or technical education, as stated on the Liberal campaign website.

Trudeau also stated, “[The Liberal party] will demonstrate the respect and appreciation for our veterans that Canadians rightly expect.”

On Wednesday, Nov. 4, Trudeau took his oath to become Prime Minister. Along with him, the new cabinet ministers were sworn in as well.

Trudeau appointed Calgary Centre MP Kent Hehr as the Minister of Veterans Affairs and also as the associate Minister of Defence. Hehr was paralyzed in a drive-by shooting on Oct. 3, 1991. He is known as a champion for people with disabilities.

At this point in time, Trudeau has not released any further information regarding changes to veteran benefits. But as Susan Clarke-Tizzard said in a National Observer article, “[He] must now fulfill the campaign promises that he made within a reasonable period of time. If not, perhaps the Canadian people will send him a message by replacing him as well. The people do have the power, if only they exercise their right to use it.”