OTTAWA– Fighting for the veterans who fought for our country, MP Irene Mathyssen (London-Fansahwe) took the battle to save the Duchess of Kent Legion to parliament this week, presenting the first petition in support of the Legion in the House of Commons on Wednesday September 30th. The petition drive continues among Londoners, with Legions, faith communities, and labour unions among those helping to collect signatures and support for Mathyssen’s efforts.

Following the presentation of the first petition, Mathyssen issued an open letter to the Minister of National Revenue asking to meet with her at the earliest opportunity and intervene on behalf of the Legion.

“I have visited the Duchess of Kent Legion on many occassions and I know how important it is for our Armed Forces veterans to have a place to come together and share their comraderie. While we are sadly losing our World War II veterans, it is important we remember we have veterans from other conflicts, including a whole new generation of service men and women returning home from Afghanistan and other deployments,” says Mathyssen. “Most of us will never experience what these brave men and women have faced, and we should be thankful for that, but it underscores the importance of having a place where they can spend time with those who have shared such experiences. The Duchess of Kent is in financial trouble because of a criminal act, not through any fault of its own. The Minister can resolve this matter with the stroke of a pen and I, along with the growing list of petitioners call on him to act now!”

Mathyssen will continue to table additional petitions in support of the Duchess of Kent as they are received and approved by the clerk of the House of Commons. Those wishing to help with the petition drive can obtain copies from Mathyssen’s office or website at: http://irenemathyssen.ndp.ca/node/815

Mathyssen’s efforts to help the Legion has drawn support from across party lines as well as levels of government as Ontario Liberal MPP Chris Bentley works to obtain provincial tax forgiveness for the Legion.

Former London-West Conservative candidate Al Gretzky also praised the effort to save the Legion. “Every level of government, federal, provincial and local, should be ashamed. When the next election comes around, I hope that every veteran, their family and friends, remembers the politicians who stepped forward to actually help them,” Gretzky said.