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Last Wednesday (March 8) Gary Walbourne, the DND/Canadian Forces Ombudsman, was invited to speak at the Senate Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs. His speech did not get much coverage in the news media (I couldn’t find any).

But in our system of government, which has many so-called federal “watchdogs” who are often reluctant to speak out, Walbourne’s speech stands out.

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Here below is his speech on the challenges facing members of the Canadian Armed Forces transitioning from military to civilian life. (I have put the more interesting passages in bold):

“Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Esteemed Senators, good afternoon to you all and thank you for this opportunity to appear before you to discuss issues surrounding the transition from military to civilian life.

As I have previously indicated in testimony given before other parliamentary committees, over half of the complaints that my office deals with on an annual basis are related to end of career issues.