Conservative Leader Stephen Harper says his party would enact a veterans' bill of rights if voted into government.

Such a bill would reverse the historical neglect of Canada's veterans, he said at a campaign stop in Victoria, B.C. on Wednesday.

"All too often we hear stories of veterans who are ignored or disrespected by government," Harper told a crowd of Royal Canadian Legion members.

"What a shameful way to treat men and women who risked their lives to defend Canada. This shame will end with the election of a new government."

To underscore his party's attitude, Harper said a Conservative government would also appoint an independent "veterans' ombudsman" dedicated to enforcing the bill.

However, Veterans Affairs Minister Albina Guarnieri told reporters her department already has an independent review board. The board has the authority to overturn decisions, and she said it's more powerful than an ombudsman.

Other prongs of the Conservative six-point plan include:

• A raft of new appointments to the Veterans' Review and Appeal Board
• A complete review of veterans' health care services
• Implementation of a House of Commons motion recognizing the historic inequality of treatment and compensation for Aboriginal veterans.
• A commitment to ensuring veterans have the financial resources to retire comfortably.

Harper did not, however, specify how much compensation he thought they might be entitled to.

In the case of disputes under the bill of rights, he said, a settlement would be arrived at quickly -- and to the benefit of veterans whenever doubt arises.

"There is no better way to honour the legacy left by our veterans than to give the men and women in today's army, navy, and air force the recognition and support they deserve," Harper said.

"We owe them nothing less than a Veterans Affairs department that responds to their needs and a federal government that treats them with dignity and respect."