“The Commissionaires is a non-profit that hires more Canadian veterans than anyone else. The government is meeting with a private security company instead of meeting with the Commissionaires. Giving this work to a private company goes too far. I want to know why the minister refuses to meet with the Commissionaires.”

“Mr. Speaker, first and foremost, Commissionaires is still the largest employer of Canada’s veterans, and it is a not-for-profit. The government has been meeting with GardaWorld as recently as July, but Commissionaires cannot even get a meeting with the minister, who has not met with Commissionaires since the spring. I am hoping my colleague can share a bit of insight on why the government is refusing to meet with the Commissionaires. If there is an issue about needing to increase the amount of veterans who are working for Commissionaires, that should be a conversation the minister is having. Taking that away and giving it to a private company instead is privatization that has crossed the line. It is over the top. When the member talks about veteran employment, I will tell him what it is like in my riding. In Courtenay, where the Commissionaires is, 60% of those who work for Commissionaires are veterans. I am hoping my colleague can explain why the minister refuses to meet with Commissionaires.”

“The government took jobs away from veterans and gave them to an American company. Many veterans in my riding are homeless and have no income. We do not take care of veterans when they return from service. I want to know if the member supports giving veterans a guaranteed basic income.”

“Mr. Speaker, the fact that the Liberal government has not only taken jobs away from veterans but has decided to give them to a company that is involved with ICE in the United States is absolutely appalling. There are a lot of veterans living in Winnipeg Centre who are houseless and do not have a livable income. I have talked to many veterans organizations in Winnipeg that support my idea of a guaranteed livable basic income. Veterans make a sacrifice for whatever reasons they find in their spirit, but when they come back, we do not look after them. It is not only through employment but also if they are unable to work for whatever reason. I am wondering if the member supports my idea of putting in place a guaranteed livable basic income for veterans.”