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A Canadian Forces veteran of 23 years has been on hunger strike since Sunday to protest his denial of injury benefits. He’s calling for the removal of Veteran’s Affairs minister, Kent Hehr, whose office said they can’t overrule a benefits decision.

“My health is failing, my wife is very concerned, and my 76-year-old Mother would like to get this resolved,” Robin Brentnall wrote on Facebook on Friday. Only consuming liquids since starting, he’s lost 10 pounds. Brentnall says he will admit himself to hospital on Saturday for his safety.

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“Have them hook me up — but no food. I’m staying on this until Ottawa approves my benefits.”

Brentnall of Gambo, Newfoundland, suffered a stoke which put him in a coma for five days. He said it was the result of military medical malpractice and he’s been unemployed since because of brain damage. When Brentnall’s appeal to get benefits from Veterans Affairs Canada failed, he wrote a letter to Hehr, giving him three days to respond or else he would go on hunger strike.