Veterans, families benefit from Breakfast on the Bridge
Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan was the guest of honour at the third annual Breakfast on the Bridge event Saturday morning. Taking place on the Peace Bridge, soldiers, veterans and family members sat down to enjoy the sunrise and a hearty breakfast. Organized by Calgary businessman George Brookman, Breakfast on the Bridge raises funds for the Calgary Military Family Resource Centre.
As the keynote speaker, Sajjan addressed the Canadian government’s commitment to supporting armed forces’ access to health care for not only physical ailments but also mental well-being.
He said the 32 resource centres across Canada are crucial for supporting families and members of the military. “The member just doesn’t serve but the family serves alongside them. It’s making sure that they have the right support because what they go through is very unique and very different from other Canadian families,” said Sajjan.
“My wife and daughter got to benefit from them as well. It’s such a fitting event. It gives our troops the confidence that Canadians have their backs.”
The minister also spoke on a new tax exemption for Canadian troops serving internationally and a retroactive pay raise for all members up to the lieutenant-colonel level.
“Whether it’s a member who just joined and doesn’t have a family, or a member who has a family or is close to retirement, from the tax exemption, the money that they now will be able to keep, each family will decide how best they want to utilize it.”
An additional $6 million per year will be going toward resource centres and support programs, ensuring military members and their families are looked after.