Concern over the ability for local veterans to access services has been a common refrain since 2012.
That's when, in a bid to cut costs, the federal government closed the Prince George Veterans Affairs office. The office, which was located downtown in the TD building, was one of nine regional offices across the country to shut its doors.
With the federal election campaign in full swing, veterans issues are back in the spotlight - though in Prince George, they've never really spent much time in the shadows.
There's been a steady stream of letters, presentations and meetings - many spearheaded by the city's Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 43 - calling for the reinstatement of a dedicated office for veterans, instead of folding the work into Service Canada.
In January, city council backed a request from the legion to "appeal to Veterans Affairs and to our local MPs to do the right thing and reopen the office in Prince George."
The major national political parties - the Greens, Liberals and New Democrats - vying to unseat the Conservative government have already made promises about restoring the closed Veterans Affairs offices.
It's an issue that legion president Bruce Gabriel is happy to have at the forefront, saying that if those promises come to fruition "then our troops would get the treatments and things they deserve and require."
When the office closed three years ago, a Veterans Affairs spokesperson told The Citizen there would be no reduction in service to local veterans and their families.
"Veterans will continue to receive services and home visits from Veterans Affairs staff. They will also still be able to call the department - where they'll be directed to an employee who will assist them to meet their needs - and visit our website for assistance," the spokesperson said.
At the time of the office's closure, the number of active files was said to be 15. But Gabriel said the office served a huge swath of the northern region and its clientele wasn't just limited to people who had served in Armed Forces.
"A lot of people are not aware our RCMP officers are full-fledged veterans under the system, that means they're entitled to all the benefits from the Poppy Fund," he said. "So when you put those guys in there, the numbers in our area are huge."
Handling issues out of Service Canada isn't adequate because there aren't people dedicated to the files, Gabriel said. The switch to phone calls and Internet-based interactions can also create problems for those with impairments or computer literacy issues.
"The beauty of when we had an office here is if I had a hearing problem or a sight problem, you're right in front of me. You can understand that and be more co-operative. But if you're on the telephone and I have a hearing problem, you can be helping me all that you want and be the nicest, most-dedicated person, but I can't hear you," Gabriel said.
"So now I'm frustrated. You're frustrated because you had the means and are willing to help, but you can't because you can't get the back and forth."
A qualified, dedicated person in Service Canada's Fourth Avenue office would be a step forward, which Gabriel said was promised by Prince George MPs Bob Zimmer and Dick Harris, but that hasn't come to fruition.
"I went to (Veterans Affairs Minister) Erin O'Toole and talked to him about that and so we're just trying to make sure this thing that was supposed to have a certain functionality has that functionality to it - and if it doesn't we need to fix it," Zimmer said.
Earlier this summer, the Legion had a meeting with Veterans Affairs and Zimmer that had the branch looking forward to weekly visits from Zimmer's office to collect information and concerns. But those haven't materialized either.
That was due to the constituency office staff member responsible for those weekly visits being out of commission with a serious health issue, said Zimmer, who noted he would be getting her replacement to start making those visits.
"My office is still open. So even if a veteran does have an issue, my office is still open to handle it and would be more than happy to receive anybody who needs the help. And we'll get them the help they need as soon as they come in," he said.
Gabriel acknowledged that there's no guarantee that other parties would actually follow through on the campaign-trail promises to re-open the closed offices, but there has to be some incentive.
"Not all the veterans need help. Not everyone needs the local hospital, but it's nice to know it's there when you need it," Gabriel said.
"But we do know the Conservatives are not going to open it. And the way they're going, they're also not going to be putting anybody in those offices. They've had well over a year, a long time now, and they didn't do it."
Zimmer said he's awaiting a report on whether there are gaps in service. He called the other parties' promises to reopen the offices "a bit presumptive" and that its a pledge too easily made.
The choice to close the office was made due to a small amount of files being served and it was believed money could be better spent throughout a larger footprint of northeastern B.C. to reach more people, said Zimmer.
"From my perspective as an MP for the riding of Prince George-Peace River where it's huge, I like the fact that service would be offered through Service Canada in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John and other areas like that - I think that's excellent - while still maintaining a service in Prince George through Service Canada," Zimmer said. "I still like that model, I just want to make sure that it's functional and, if it's not, we need to fix it."
The federal government's relationship with veterans could easily be described as contentious over the past few years.
Former Veterans Affairs Minister Julian Fantino was removed from his post at the beginning of the year after 18 months on the job after a term marred by calls for his resignation after a less-than-cordial interactions with veterans and being at the helm when an auditor general report on the department said it wasn't doing enough to provide mental-health services.
Fantino was replaced by former Canadian Forces member O'Toole, a move which was welcomed by the local Legion.
An independent group of veterans launched their own campaign, Anyone But Conservatives, on Aug. 17 against the Harper government.
"The Canadian government used to take care of our heroes, the men and women who defend our values of freedom and democracy," says a statement on the group's website. "But with Stephen Harper and the Conservatives in power, our veterans stand alone."
The legion isn't advocating against or endorsing any party, Gabriel said.
"We don't care who's in the government. We want them to look after our people," he said, adding you won't see branch members out in their legion uniform picketing Conservative events like the ABC campaign supporters.
"We're out there to support our veterans. We want a government to get in there - it could be the same one - who are going to look after our veterans."
But Gabriel does encourage individuals to inform themselves and make the best decision based on their own priorities.
"It's more important than ever for people to vote. If you don't vote and you don't get things your way, you can't complain," Gabriel said. "Veterans gave their life and limb so people can have a choice and you have to exercise it. It's the most important thing of all."
