An Okanagan veteran wants to donate money raised at his legion to a national PTSD support organization, but the province won’t allow it.

Jim Stewart with the Oliver Legion has participated in a veterans’ PTSD program in Alberta for the last three years.

He wanted his local legion to donate money to that program but was told they couldn’t donate gaming revenue — money earned from legion raffles and 50/50 tickets — to a national organization.

“Their micro-management of us has become so onerous to us that when you end up in a situation where you’re told you can’t donate to veterans themselves, you begin to really question what you’re doing at all,” said Stewart.

The B.C. Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch states gambling money earned in B.C. must be spent in the province.

The Ministry of Finance states the policy is in place to assure donors their contributions will benefit British Columbians.

“I am sure those who donated will understand the benefits that are accorded to the wounded and that we have to look globally,” said Mike Blais, president of Canadian Veterans Advocacy.

Stewart says he will continue speaking out until the rule is changed.

Source: CBC