Veterans ombudsman Guy Parent staying put despite Liberal demands to step aside

Canada's veterans ombudsman says he'll stay at his post,even though the new Liberal government has asked him to step aside.

Guy Parent says the three-year renewal of his mandate, approvedin the waning hours of the Conservative government, was notpolitical and that the believes he has more to accomplish on behalfof the country's ex-soldiers.

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He has already informed the Liberal government and plans to carryon with his duties.

Just before Christmas, Liberal House leader Dominic LeBlanc sentletters to 33 Harper government appointees requesting that they stepaside or turn down their early reappointments.

Some of the Conservative appointments were made well in advanceof the end of their terms.

Parent's initial five-year term was set to expire in November,almost immediately after the federal election, but the Harpergovernment quietly approved an extension on July 28, just days beforethe election was called.

Parent says the Liberals have acknowledged his position andindicated that his appointment might go to aparliamentary committeefor review, but the government does not have the authority to remove
appointees.