The Public Service Alliance of Canada is launching a video campaign meant to show the impact of closing veterans affairs offices.
Veteran Pearl Osmond and her 24-year-old daughter, Robyn Young, also a veteran, have their story included in the campaign. Young lost an eye because of needless surgery after military doctors misdiagnosed a brain tumour in November 2012. The two came to Windsor from British Columbia to be with family during the difficult time.
Osmond says without an office in Windsor, the two found getting service in London challenging.
"I had to do everything myself. I had to quit my job. It would've been nice to kind of have somebody hold our hands and walk us through the process," says Osmond.
The two live in Victoria, BC now where there is an office and the difference in service is night and day.
"It was easy to do here, if we have any paperwork we just drop it off at the office," says Osmond. "We've been exposed to both: an office and no office and it's a world of difference."
The nine offices the government closed had total operating costs of just over $5-million. The services offered though, at those offices according to Veterans Affairs Minister Erin O'Toole, is to be offered at Service Canada locations.
