These confirmed the 1991 Czech and French reports of the presence of chemical agents in this area. On May 16 the defence minister said that veterans affairs would review gulf war veterans' disability applications, assuring that those who display symptoms will be given the benefit of the doubt for treatment and compensation. However, current regulations accept only disabilities with medically recognized symptoms. These regulations must be changed to recognize the chronic and multiple disabilities from which our gulf war veterans suffer. Talk is not enough.
Action is needed now.
Mr. Speaker, the NDP views the preoccupation of Parliament with the fate of the defence minister and General Boyle as politically unfortunate. It has let the Liberals off the hook on other issues. Nevertheless, the Prime Minister and the minister of defence have been disappointing in their stalwart defence of General Boyle. The Prime Minister is right to say that the inquiry should be allowed to do its work but the Prime Minister should do his work. To question General Boyle is not to attack or criticize the enlisted men and women of the Canadian forces who are distinguishing themselves at home and abroad.