Prime Minister Harper says his government has invested billions of dollars in programs, particularly for the most needy veterans.

But he offered no acknowledgment today of concerns raised by veterans’ groups, funeral home directors and many others that a federal burial fund for poor veterans is rejecting most applications for help.

Overhauling eligibility and increasing the funeral stipend, which hasn’t been raised in a decade, could cost up to seven million dollars a year.

By contrast, the government has put 28 million dollars into commemorating the War of 1812.