The vice president of the Métis National Council is urging Veterans Affairs Minister Lawrence MacAulay and his staff to ensure an apology is issued soon to Métis veterans from the Second World War.
In a letter to the minister, David Chartrand says an apology to veterans who were “disrespected” and “ignored” must happen soon because veterans are nearing the end of their lives.
Chartrand says the Manitoba Métis community recently lost another Second World War veteran, who did not receive recognition and justice before his death.
He also says the federal government and the Métis Nation were close to reaching an agreement under former veterans affairs minister Seamus O’Regan.
O’Regan was moved out of the portfolio and into Indigenous Services during a January cabinet shuffle.
MacAulay’s office says it plans to speak with Chartrand and the Métis National Council in the near future on the issue, adding the minister remains committed to “appropriately recognizing” Métis veterans for their courage and sacrifices.
All the while our veterans are dying.