The mother of a murdered Nova Scotia woman says she has a right to know whether the man imprisoned for her daughterâs killing is still receiving benefits meant for veterans.
Susan Campbellâs 36-year-old daughter Catherine Campbell, a police officer in Truro, N.S., was killed by Christopher Garnier in 2015.
Garnier was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced earlier this year to life in prison with no chance of parole for 13-and-half years.
In August, it was revealed that Garnier was getting benefits for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder from Veterans Affairs Canada. He never served in uniform, but was eligible because his father was a veteran.
The Liberal government changed its policy last month so that veteransâ benefits will no longer go to family members who are federal inmates. But the policy does not appear to be retroactive. Veterans Affairs Canada wonât tell Susan Campbell whether Garnier is still receiving them.
âWeâve been through a lot in three years. There doesnât seem to be an end in sight,â Campbell told CTV Atlantic. âThis is an injustice, we feel, and it certainly does not help us with our healing process.â
Campbell says that she doesnât think Garnierâs privacy is a good enough reason for Veterans Affairs to refuse to disclose the information.
âI think we have a right to know, as well as veterans have a right to know, what Veterans Affairs has done. A privacy issue? Itâs out there. We didnât put it out there.â
Campbell said she isnât against Garnier getting treatment but doesnât think itâs right that he would get special treatment thatâs meant to help veterans.
âPeople that are incarcerated, thereâs help available for them,â she said. âTheyâre not getting special help; theyâre getting help that is provided by Corrections Canada.â
Campbell says she will keep pushing until she gets all the answers she needs about her daughterâs killer.
With a report from CTV Atlanticâs Dan MacIntosh