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And as good as it sounds, veterans should also be wary of Trudeau’s concurrent promise to “cover the cost of four years of post-secondary education for every veteran who wants one.”

The problem with this commitment, if it is to be taken at face value, is the fact that it does not address the very stark differences in length and terms of service within the veteran community. Should a veteran who served one, two or three years, and was honourably released, receive the same four years of free university education as a 20- or 30-year veteran? What about the reserve soldier who has faithfully and diligently served his country on a part-time basis for two or three years? Right or wrong, these differences will inevitably come into play should this commitment become a reality.

I have no doubt that if a future Liberal government, financially constrained by the impact of years of Conservative deficits, actually delivers on its promises, it will continue to expand and solidify the somewhat unprecedented degree of support the party is already receiving from veterans.

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However, if the Liberals’ actions in 2005, and the actions of their Conservative successors, are any indication, Trudeau may just as pragmatically come to the conclusion that the veteran community is simply not big enough, or electorally significant enough, to place on what some may perceive as a financial pedestal. Like Harper, Trudeau may then find it politically expedient to stick to clichéd praise and platitudes for our veterans and offer little in the way of real financial enhancements to veteran benefits.

National Post

Robert Smol served in the Canadian Armed Forces for over 20 years. He is currently a teacher and freelance writer in Toronto.