Veterans Affairs rally in Sydney brings out thousands

Thousands of protesters gathered in Cape Breton, N.S., to protest the federal government's plan to close the local VeteransAffairs office.

As part of the March 2012 budget, the federal government announced it would be closing nine district offices, including the one in Sydney.Spending was expected to decrease, said government documents, due to a dwindling number of veterans.

On the Saturday before RemembranceDay close to 3,000people showed up in Sydney to show their support and listen to speeches.According to the last census survey there are about 31,597 people in Sydney

Protesters waved signs and sang O Canada, reported the CBC's Norma Jean MacPhee.The protesters also handed out post cards to send to Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

I am overwhelmed...The closure of this office is not about the loss of jobs. But it's the loss of the services to the veterans.- Brenda Leblanc, Veterans Affairs employee

Brenda Leblanc, a client services agent at Veterans Affairs, has worked in the Sydney office for 27 years.

I am overwhelmed. Its awesome that this many people have turned out, and it just goes to show the impact that this closure has on this office. And it's not just the veterans; it's their families that it affects and the community in general. The closure of this office is not about the loss of jobs. But it's the loss of the services to the veterans, she said.

The Sydney bureau employs 17 people.

A Veterans Affairs spokesperson said theyre increasing the number of case workers in some regions whereneeded.

We are delivering personalized benefits such as home visits by a registered nurse or case-manager, in addition to grass cutting, snow clearing and home cleaning services, read the statement.

"Telling a veteran to use a computer or a 1-800 number to get the help they need is insulting," said Liberal MPJim Karygiannis in a news release."These men and women put themselves in harms way for us and we owe them."

Offices in these cities will shut:

• Charlottetown
• Corner Brook, N.L.
• Sydney, N.S.
• Windsor, Ont.
• Thunder Bay, Ont.
• Kelowna, B.C.
• Prince George, B.C.
• Saskatoon
• Brandon, Man.

The offices are set upacross the country to help veterans.The Union of Veterans Affairs Employeessaid the offices would be closed byFeb. 28, 2014.