Tories seek to mend fences with veterans

Minister of Veterans Affairs Julian Fantino responds to asks a question during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, November 18, 2014. Veterans Affairs is embarking Wednesday on an effort to rebuild bridges with groups that represent disgruntled ex-soldiers, but it is excluding some organizations that have threatened to campaign against the governing Conservatives. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

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By Murray Brewster, The Canadian Press

OTTAWA - Veterans Affairs is embarking Wednesday on an effort to rebuild bridges with groups that represent disgruntled ex-soldiers, but it is excluding some organizations that have threatened to campaign against the governing Conservatives.

It will be the first time in months that embattled Veterans Affairs Minister Julian Fantino has faced the regular gathering of interested groups.

The meeting is taking place in Quebec City not Ottawa, as per usual at a time when several Conservative sources are acknowledging their party's problematic relationship with Canadian military veterans.

Several groups opposed to the government's so-called new veterans charter, which defines the benefits and entitlements of ex-military and RCMP members, have formed a coalition and are refusing to participate in government photo-ops until their concerns are addressed.

Some in the coalition, notably Cape Breton veteran Ron Clarke, say they will be actively campaigning to oust the Conservatives.

The declaration has effectively split the veterans movement.

Don Leonardo, the head of Veterans Canada, says his group has decided not to participate in the coalition, and yet it has still been excluded from the Quebec City meeting.

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Tories seek to mend fences with veterans