Fantino has ‘lack of heart’ for veterans and should be fired: NDP

OTTAWA – Opposition Leader Tom Mulcair joined ex-soldiers in demanding Veterans Affairs Minister Julian Fantino step down — or be fired.

On his way to a caucus meeting, the NDP leader called on Prime Minister Stephen Harper to issue a “sincere apology” to veterans who took part in a meeting with the minister Tuesday night.

Fantino appeared to add insult to injury when he met with a delegation opposed to the impending closure of eight regional Veterans Affairs offices.

The minister rejected pleas to keep the offices open and was late for the meeting, arriving moments before the angry veterans were to hold a news conference.

Former soldier Martin Haller, one of the delegates, says the group was hoping Fantino would have an 11th-hour conversion.

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau says he’ll wait to see whether Fantino apologizes before deciding whether to call for the minister’s resignation.