Political outrage over Veterans Affairs’ decision to fund murderer’s PTSD help

HALIFAX — Political outrage is building over Veterans Affairs Canada’s decision to pay for the PTSD treatment of a Halifax man convicted of strangling an off-duty police officer and using a compost bin to dispose of her body.

“This is an absolute travesty as far as I’m concerned,” federal Conservative shadow critic Phil McColeman said Wednesday.

He called on Veterans Affairs Minister Seamus O’Regan to “please step in now and address this outrage,” while another Conservative MP, Erin O’Toole, called the department’s help for Christopher Garnier an “outrage of the highest order.”

Garnier was convicted in December of second-degree murder and interfering with a dead body in the September 2015 death of 36-year-old Catherine Campbell, an off-duty Truro police officer.

At a court hearing this month, Crown lawyer Christine Driscoll confirmed Garnier is being seen by a private psychologist, and that Veterans Affairs is covering the cost because his father is a veteran who has also been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

McColeman said while he can only speculate about what went into the decision, he wonders want kind of scrutiny was applied in this case.

“I want him (O’Regan) to intervene,” said McColeman.

“In many cases that I’ve dealt with representing veterans from my own riding over the years, there’s discretion that’s often used at the upper management levels of Veterans Affairs,” he said. “Whatever happened, I think the minister owes us an explanation.”

In a statement Tuesday, Veterans Affairs confirmed relatives of veterans are eligible to apply for PTSD treatment.

The department also said counselling and other services can be offered to relatives when it is determined such a move will help veterans achieve their rehabilitation goals.

But McColeman said there are programs available within the federal penal system, which he said should be dealing with Garnier’s case.

“The majority of them deal with mental health issues and PTSD is one of them.”

McColeman’s point was reiterated in Nova Scotia, where the interim leader of the provincial Tories also issued a statement saying she’s “outraged” by the federal department’s decision to help Garnier.

Karla MacFarlane called it a “slap in the face” to veterans who have served the country and who often have to fight to access the services they need.

“This is PTSD that they are claiming that is derived solely because of murdering an individual, so it’s just a jagged pill to swallow — it’s not right,” she said. “Christopher Garnier may receive help while he is in jail but it should be from the Department of Justice. There shouldn’t be a dime spent by Veterans Affairs.”

Earlier this month, a Nova Scotia Supreme Court judge decided Garnier would be able to apply for parole after serving 13.5 years of a life sentence — less 699 days for time served.

Garnier’s lawyer has argued his client’s mental illness was brought on by the murder. In court submissions, Joel Pink said a psychiatrist hired by the defence said in a report that Garnier suffered from acute stress disorder immediately following Campbell’s death.

Colin Saunders, an Ottawa-based veteran’s advocate, said he was disappointed by the federal department’s decision.

The retired artillery sergeant, who organized a Parliament Hill protest over veterans’ benefits earlier this year, said the extension of benefits to family members is a good thing that contributes to the overall well being of veterans.