OTTAWA – The country’s veterans ombudsman received nine privacy violation complaints over the last five years, seven of which were handed over to Canada’s privacy commissioner — a move questioned by a growing number of ex-soldiers.

A high-profile advocate, who claims his medical files were raided, wants the federal solicitor general to investigate whether it was appropriate for ombudsman Guy Parent to “take a back seat” on the issue.

He also asks whether the veterans minister overstepped his authority by shutting down a probe initiated by his predecessor.

Former warrant officer Harold Leduc says he believes his complaint about alleged privacy violations deserved to be investigated by both the ombudsman and privacy commissioner Jennifer Stoddart.

And a citizens group on the East Coast weighed into the issue, demanding a public inquiry into what they say is a pattern of privacy violations at Veterans Affairs that targeted advocates.

A spokesman for Veterans Affairs Minister Steven Blaney said the department has done everything by the book.