Bill S-19

Without imposing any charge on the public revenue, this enactment addresses the discrimination in treatment accorded merchant navy veterans of Canada’s wars as compared with the treatment accorded the veterans of other services. It provides a means whereby this discrimination will not be extended by future legislation insofar as benefits to merchant navy war veterans and their dependants are concerned.

The enactment will also provide a means of obtaining equal treatment for the representatives of merchant navy war veterans at public commemorative ceremonies at which representatives of the veterans of other services are in attendance with the assistance, or at the request, of government.