Conservatives protest aid for convicted cop killer
OTTAWA — Tensions boiled over in the House of Commons Thursday over Veterans Affairs Canada’s decision to pay for the PTSD treatment of a Halifax man who murdered an off-duty police officer.
The Conservatives made the case a key focus of the day’s question period, pressing the Trudeau government to halt payments.
Each side of the Commons claimed disgust with the language their political opponents were using, prompting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau early on to say he wouldn’t answer a Conservative question about the case.
Trudeau defended the government’s support to former service members and their family members who struggle with mental trauma before accusing the Conservatives of trying to “play politics with tragedies.”
Conservative veterans affairs critic Phil McColeman told reporters outside the Commons that many Canadians were outraged that Christopher Garnier continued to receive Veterans Affairs benefits despite never serving in uniform.
“What we saw today is an outrage, that we cannot ask questions to this government as to why an individual who has never served a minute in the military qualifies for benefits, PTSD benefits, PTSD that he claimed in court were caused by the fact that he murdered [Campbell],” McColeman said.
“That’s what he says is the reason for his PTSD. This prime minister defends that?”
A Halifax court heard last month that Garnier was seeing a private psychologist, with Veterans Affairs covering the cost because his father was a veteran who has also been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Garnier was convicted in December of murdering 36-yearold Catherine Campbell, an offduty Truro police officer, and dumping her body in a compost bin. His lawyer has argued Garnier’s mental illness was brought on by the murder.
The revelation that taxpayers were footing the bill for Garnier’s treatment sparked widespread condemnation, and the government promised to look into how and why the decision was made.
“If a serving member is found guilty of murder and dishonourably discharged, that member and his or her family would lose all their benefits,” Conservative MP John Brassard said.