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New Minister O'Toole Denies Cutting Ties to Veterans' Group

But voice message suggests the group change its structure.

Jeremy Nuttall 13 Jan 2015TheTyee.ca

Jeremy J. Nuttall is The Tyee's Parliament Hill reporter in Ottawa. Find his previous stories here.  

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The new minister of Veterans Affairs, Erin O'Toole, says he has not cut ties with a veterans' advocacy group that is critical of his department.

On Monday, the Hill Times in Ottawa reported that O'Toole was ending its relationship with the Canadian Veterans' Association, which had a stakeholder advisory status with the ministry. The news organization said O'Toole delivered the news in a voice message to the veterans group's founder Michael Blais.

The Tyee was given the voice message, during which O'Toole suggests that Blais run his group more like the Legion or other larger veterans groups. It does not say he will cut ties with the group, although the new minister suggests that CVA restructure its organization.

"As you know, my position with respect to CVA hasn't changed from the first time you and I spoke and I think we actually have a decent relationship, but I want groups that are truly non-profit, fraternal organizations that have bylaws, that have boards of directors, that have votes and annual general meetings, not just a Facebook page," O'Toole says in the message.

"So, I'd like to hear your plan on becoming that, like a Legion or ANAvets or UN/NATO or something like that, where the members have a lot of say on direction..." The message is cut off at this point.

In a written statement from O'Toole's office, the minister denied cutting links to the group.

"In just over a week, Minister O'Toole has consulted with dozens of veterans from across Canada, including reaching out to Mr. Blais on his second full day as the Minister," the statement said. "Our Government understands that the veterans community is diverse and as such, considers all groups as stakeholders, including Mr. Blais."

O'Toole replaces Fantino

Last week, O'Toole replaced Julian Fantino in the portfolio after months of pressure from the Opposition and some members of the public, who were unhappy with Fantino's performance in the Veterans' Affairs Canada portfolio.

The Canadian Veterans' Association was leery of the move. Blais said that he believed O'Toole's appointment would not make a difference in how the ministry was run, and that he thought O'Toole will continue in the same direction as Fantino, arguing that the agenda is set by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

In an interview, Blais said the phone message from O'Toole angered him. He said O'Toole was trying to tell him how to run his own advocacy efforts. He said he runs his group according to the law and said has no desire to become like the Legion.

"They raise money. They charge a membership. And for that they should have an organization to ensure the money is spent as it is (meant to be)," Blais said. "We do not have members for that very reason, 'cause I don't believe in charging wounded veterans to help them."

He said O'Toole has been after his organization because he thinks it's tied to the NDP, an accusation Blais rejects. He said his group has thousands of followers on social media.

He did say he has received donations from the union representing staff at Veterans Affairs. For O'Toole to target his group for these donations showcases a "cancer" within the Conservatives of fear of unions, Blais said.

Following is a transcript of the message left on Blais' phone service:

"Hello Mike. It's Erin O'Toole calling. It's noon or five minutes after noon on, what day is it? Wednesday. As you can imagine it's been a blur the last few days. I got your tweet, you were on my list to call. I actually started with the Legion, and have been working my way down the number of stakeholders over the last few days.

"As you know my position with respect to CVA hasn't changed from the first time you and I spoke and I think we actually have a decent relationship, but I want groups that are truly non-profit, fraternal organizations that have bylaws, that have boards of directors, that have votes and annual general meetings, not just a Facebook page. So, I'd like to hear your plan on becoming that, like a Legion or ANAvets or UN/NATO or something like that where the members have a lot of say on direction..." *Answering machine cuts in*"  [Tyee]

Read more: Politics, Federal Politics

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