Veterans´ groups fear their priorities will be lost in the constant shuffle of ministers
(The Star Toronto Raptors)

OTTAWA—It’s a déjà vu posting for Canada’s latest veterans affairs minister — the 10th in a decade.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau turned to a political veteran to take on the portfolio Friday, hoping the appointment of Lawrence MacAulay will assuage advocates frustrated by the turnover in ministers.MacAulay, who was secretary of state for veterans under prime minister Jean Chrétien, was effusive Friday, telling reporters he was delighted to return to an issue he was first involved with two decades ago.“It’s an honour to be a minister at the table in any portfolio but the chance to be at veterans affairs really for the second time is indeed a great honour,� MacAulay said outside Rideau Hall following the swearing-in ceremony.The veterans affairs department is close to home in another way too — MacAulay is MP for the riding of Cardigan in Prince Edward Island, and the headquarters for veterans affairs is in Charlottetown.He pledged to do “everything I can� to make sure the personnel who “preserve democracy for us worldwide� are well looked after.That enthusiasm might help ease the discomfort of veterans groups worried that their priorities are getting lost in the political upheaval.MacAulay fills the vacancy caused by the sudden departure of Jody Wilson-Raybould, who resigned from the position in February just a month into the job. Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan had taken on responsibilities for the file in the interim. Friday’s shuffle means there have been 10 ministers to hold the veterans affairs position since 2009 and five since the Liberals took office in 2015.Scott Maxwell, executive director of Wounded Warriors Canada, said the changes in ministers with just months to go before the fall election make it difficult to make progress on issues such as the transition to civilian life and improving benefits and payments for wounded veterans.“It just doesn’t se ...