LEAKED DND MEMO RAISES ALARM
MP Hill Says Health of Troops Should be Paramount

November 13, 2003

Fort St. John, B.C. – Jay Hill, Canadian Alliance National Defence Critic, expressed disappointment today over the Department of National Defence’s response to the health concerns of Canadian troops serving in Afghanistan.   

Hill’s comments follow the publication of details from a leaked e-mail written by Col. Ken Scott, Director of Medical Policy for the Canadian Forces, in response to questions raised by soldiers and Military Ombudsman André Marin about the effects of breathing fecal-contaminated air in Afghanistan. 

“If Col. Scott’s memo is a reflection of how DND views the legitimate concerns raised by soldiers and its own Military Ombudsman, I have to wonder what’s more important to his department, protecting itself from liability or looking out for the health and safety of our troops,” said Hill.   

“Mr. Marin was simply asking for more information on behalf of soldiers.  All they want is to know more about air quality test results and to ensure they are well-documented in their medical files.”  Hill added that such record-keeping is important to both DND and soldiers so that if health problems arise in the future, medical staff can more knowledgeably include, or exclude, air contaminants in Afghanistan as the cause. 

Hill pointed out that Col. Scott’s apparent dismissal of Mr. Marin’s concerns is short-sighted.  “Ironically, DND’s reluctance to be more forthcoming about air quality and health information is actually intensifying suspicion, mistrust and soldiers’ worries about their long-term health. 

“If Col. Scott is sincere in wanting to end soldiers’ suspicions about Kabul air quality, he should immediately release the test data that would do so. I encourage the Minister of National Defence to instruct his officials to end this unnecessary secrecy and take soldiers’ concerns more seriously.”