Received this from a fellow veteran who in turn received it of his a retired CWO with the Sigs Reg. Thanks again to Ed in Miramachi Signaller 35/09
This letter is worth the read. 3.An Open Letter to John Duncan MP re: Patriotism, Fairness and Clawback Bill C201
Mr. Duncan Reading your Proud to be Canadian Campaign that you and some of your colleagues have started a contest competing for the most Patriotic Riding in Canada brings to mind a very proud, very patriotic unit, who put country before family and self and who I served with in the mid 1980s. This unit, 1 Line Troop, now 1 Line Sqn, composed of about 80 Army Linemen was/is based in Kingston Ont. and was tasked to construct, repair and maintain among other things pole lines, cable plants, communication antennas, masts, towers etc; the tallest masts they climbed were 400ft. These taskings stretched, from Masset west, to Alert north (ever heard of Alert?), CF airfields, Army Bases, the Navy's Tx and Rx sites in NS and BC, Navy dockyards and the giant antenna farm at Parkers Pond Nfld. Also at that time the Cdn military in Bermuda, Lahr and Baden Germany, UN Peacekeeping in Cyprus and the Golan Heights in Israel, wherever Cdn forces served at home or abroad. Yes, Canada had a Station, 24/7 operation, in Bermuda with a lot of antennas. Depending on the priority, complexity, type of project, weather etc these soldiers worked aloft, in tunnels, manholes, they buried and spliced cable etc, often in dangerous conditions utilizing heavy equipment. They usually started at 0800 and downed tools at dark, usually six days a week. There was no overtime, overseas, or danger pay, just overtime work; and mainly hard physical work at that. They were away from their families on project on average well over 250 days a year. This was very, very tough on family life and they could never count on annual leave in summer when their kids were out of school. Maybe leave in Jan or Feb; or not at all. Their professionalism and dedication was and is still known throughout the Forces and there was never a shortage of Signals Linemen wanting to serve in 1 Line. Had they known that you, John, and some other Conservative MPs, all who had voted against the Military/RCMP pension clawback Bill C201, wanted them to Show their pride in your pathetic contest they would have roared with laughter at this insult. Many of these Lineman, who I knew so very well as I had the honour to be their Commanding Officer for three years, will have now retired, mainly with the rank of Sgt or WO. When they reach the age of 65, they will get a letter like the one I have in front of me from Public Works and Government Services, Special Services Division, dated June 2003. SUBJECT: CANADIAN FORCES SUPERANNUATION BENEFITS-REDUCTIONS AT AGE 65, and goes on to say my pension will be reduced by $503 per month . Reduction, clawback-same thing. Lineman Perry Porter, wont have to worry about his pension. Perry was killed in the Golan when the mast he was aloft on collapsed. Although the soldiers of 1 Line were compelled to pay monthly EI, they, like the rest of the Cdn Military who retired with a pension, no matter how meager, were never, never able to collect EI on release, even if they were looking for civilian employment to augment their generous pensions. Your words John. Why was the fact that Vets cannot ever draw EI but had to pay into it not addressed in that same canned party line response you sent to me and all the other Veterans who asked for, and never got, your support for the anti clawback Bill ? And why don't MPs pay EI like the Military ? Why will your wife get 60% pension on your demise and ours get 50%? Why are MPs pensionable after 6 years and not subject to a clawback/reduction at age 65? Free medical and dental too, wow!! What a deal! At no time has any Vet protest group, and they are still growing, asked for restatement for the clawback back to day one. Just stop the clawback now. Is there any of that 20Billion RCMP/Military Pension surplus left? Or is that what will be used for the Oshawa GM pensioners bailout? Maybe with $19,000,000 left over going for the bonuses of the CPP Directors? No wonder early release is a HUGE problem for the Forces today. As for Showing my pride, I am very, very proud to have had CANADA on the sleeves of my tunics, and on the shoulders of my work dress and combat clothing for 37 1/2 years, 8 1/2 of those years outside of this wonderful country. I dont have to put up a paper flag from a politician to prove anything. Finally, why isn't there a check box on your sophomoric Proud to be a Canadian Intructions for Forest/Woodworkers or just ask what occupation? Why just vets? Your meaningless and ridiculous contest among Tory MPs, looks more like a survey to see how many Vets/RCMP are upset. Off hand by the coast to coast eml traffic on this subject I would estimate a very, very great many. Interesting that Nova Scotia turfed the Tories yesterday. Lots of serving CF and Vets down there. . This is all a matter of fairness versus hypocrisy. RCMP/Vets and spouses will remember your NAY vote John. Curt Usherwood, Senior, Homeowner, proud Veteran
Please remember our troops and the Veterans of yesterday and tomorrow. Show your support, in many ways.
Nil Sine Labore
Robby
