MacKay says reported fourth soldier suicide in a week “heartbreaking”

OTTAWA – Former defence minister Peter MacKay says he is troubled by reports of another veteran of the Afghanistan war taking his own life.

Defence officials have confirmed that military police are investigating the death of a soldier at CFB Valcartier in Quebec as the fourth apparent Canadian Forces suicide in a week.

MacKay, now minister of justice after years in the defence portfolio, says the news is heart-wrenching.

“It’s absolutely heartbreaking and troubling in the extreme that anyone, soldiers in particular, find themselves in a position that they see no hope and take their own lives,” MacKay said Wednesday on his way into the weekly Conservative caucus meeting in Ottawa.

Veterans advocates say the number of suicides within the military in recent days may only hint at the magnitude of the problem. For every death by suicide, they warn, as many as 12 others may have unsuccessfully sought the same fate.

Defence officials confirmed this week that military police are investigating the death of a member of the Royal 22e Regiment at CFB Valcartier.

MacKay said the federal government is doing what it can to provide support to soldiers facing difficulties since returning from fighting in Afghanistan. He said more action will be taken.

“We’ve been preparing for the increase in stress because of the Afghanistan mission by putting in place these joint personnel support units,” he said.

“(Defence Minister Rob) Nicholson has spoken about the steps that have been taken now over a number of years, but clearly we are working to do more.”

The escalating struggle of soldiers has been resonating across Canada since word of the suicides began emerging last week.

A sign of how it is impacting even top-level former military personnel came Tuesday when Sen. Romeo Dallaire fell asleep at the wheel of his car and crashed into a traffic barrier on Parliament Hill.

The retired general cited the news last week of three Canadian soldiers killing themselves, as well as the coming 20th anniversary of the Rwanda genocide, as reasons he has been unable to sleep, even with medication.

Nicholson this week asked those who are struggling to seek help.

“We all have a role to play in reaching out to those who are hurting and encourage them to get help,” he said in a statement.

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The Canadian Forces Member Assistance Program has a confidential 24/7 toll-free telephone advisory and referral service for all military personnel and their families: 1-800-268-7708.