Richards consistently advocates for increased support and funding for veterans, criticizing the current government for falling short in this area. He suggests the government is neglecting veterans' needs while wasting money elsewhere. Richards also takes opportunities to more broadly criticize the government's fiscal management and accuse them of lack of transparency and accountability.
“I could talk about some good things in the bill, but I won't. Instead, I'll complain about the government shutting down debate. It makes them look bad and undemocratic.”
“I don't have answers to your questions. This government doesn't want to be accountable or transparent. They just want to reward their friends and insiders. It's all at the expense of Canadians.”
“Veterans have never been a priority for this government. The budget proves it. The government is cutting veteran services. Veterans are using food banks and homeless shelters. The government needs to help veterans. The government isn't doing enough. The government owes veterans help. Veterans have earned it.”
“This isn't about cannabis. Stop dodging the real issue. Veterans are being shortchanged in many ways. Their pensions are being cut. They need to wait years to get the benefits they deserve. But you pretend we're making this up. You'll pay the price for not taking care of our veterans.”
“I don't trust this new Defence Investment Agency. It has too much power to spend money without oversight. The Liberals keep announcing plans but never follow through. This agency could become another slush fund for Liberal friends. The bill lets the agency spend up to $1 billion without checks and get around competitive bidding. We should be spending on actual defence needs, not more ways to enrich insiders. I'm worried this is more of the same corruption and waste.”
“I want to criticize the government's treatment of veterans. I want the member to say veterans are unhappy. If veterans say bad things, that might make the government look bad.”
“I want to emphasize that the Prime Minister's spending is making life more expensive for everyone. When will he stop spending so much on the national credit card?”
“Trudeau claims he knows money but he doubled our deficit. He's putting a whole trillion dollars on the nation's credit card. He just spends, spends, spends and Canadians pay for it. Under Trudeau, Canadians pay more for everything. Trudeau needs to stop borrowing so much and let Canadians afford their own lives.”
“I'm making a big deal about veterans being offered assisted death. I want the government to stop it. The government says it's not happening, but veterans don't trust the government. I think the government is delaying and denying veterans' claims on purpose. They're hoping veterans will give up and go away. The bill would make sure assisted death isn't pushed on people who don't want it.”
“Veterans do a difficult job. Government should spend more money on them.”
“Veterans say the government doesn't give them enough. The government should spend more on veterans. I want the government to spend more on veterans.”
“I want the government to adopt my amendments. The government isn't listening to veterans. The government only pretends to care. The government thinks it can do whatever it wants because it has a majority.”
“I say the Liberals don't listen. They pretend to care then do nothing. Veterans came forward with ideas to fix problems. The government should use those ideas, not ignore them.”
“I want to accuse the other party of mistreating veterans and women because it fits my political agenda.”
