Concerns emerged Wednesday over the way the Canadian military treats ill and injured veterans. News has surfaced that two soldiers with ties to CFB Shilo died this week.
Recently, veterans have raised concerns of being forced from the army due to injury, before they could receive a pension.
Friends said CFB Shilo soldier William Elliott took his life at home outside the base earlier this week.
“Just quite a tragic, tragic loss that I was told should've been and could've been prevented,” said friend and fellow soldier Glen Kirkland.
Elliott served in Afghanistan in 2006, where he suffered back injuries during his tour.
Friends told CTV News that Elliott worried the military wanted to force him out.
"He didn't know how he was going to be financially looked after for his injuries,” said Kirkland.
A former Shilo soldier, identified as Travis Halmrast, died Monday in Lethbridge, Alta.
Family friends suggested he lived with post-traumatic stress disorder.
A veterans group said the two deaths raise red flags about the federal government’s handling of wounded soldiers or those with PTSD.
“When they do come and seek assistance - if it's not there for them it's like tripping them. They fall flat on their face and that worsens the whole PTSD experience,” said Barry Westholm from Canadian Veterans Advocacy.
Kirkland said the way government treats soldiers diagnosed with PTSD needs to change.
"The way that the system is set up is that, if you come forward with post-traumatic stress, it's one step closer to being unemployed with the military,” said Kirkland.
A CFB Shilo spokesperson said the military will investigate the deaths of both soldiers. There’s no evidence the deaths are linked.
The spokesperson also said neither soldier was a member of the joint personnel unit for mentally and physically injured troop.
- with a report from Josh Crabb
