The Editor,
I heard of the Rick Mercer Rant about the change in the Department of Veterans Affairs programs for our vets and the online and phone app availability, and applaud him for drawing this to the attention of the masses.
I spoke with a DVA representative over a year ago, asking if they were prepared to train our veterans (average age 88) on how to use this technology and also if they would be funding the computers and Internet access required in order for the veterans to access this new improved technology.
Needless to say, the response was that they never really thought of that. Go figure?
Can we also shed some light pressure on municipal government to give the veterans organizations some relief from property taxes. Veterans’ organizations don’t enjoy the same tax breaks other charities get from municipal governments.
And because the buildings are often old and on prime real estate, the property tax bills can be quite substantial. Legions and ANAFs are closing their doors in record numbers, unable to meet the property tax burden. Tax bills get paid out of lounge operations and membership fees. These veteran organizations are not pubs, they are not commercial operations, they are not like any other organization in Canada.
Their mandates are to serve veterans and their dependents in their time of need. What other organization do you know has this as their primary mission statement?
The veteran’s clubs are not-for-profit and do charitable work
Thousands of dollars are donated annually from the proceeds of their fundraising efforts.
In the wake of the Nov. 11 poppy campaign, it should be noted that proceeds are not used for payment of club expenses and are solely directed for the purposes they were raised; namely to provide assistance to our veterans and their dependents.
The question remains, who will be there to assist the veterans if local municipalities tax the veterans’ organizations into bankruptcy?
Sharon E. Boyce
Secretary of the ANAF Steveston Unit clubhouse
