NDP Leader Jack Layton unveiled his plans for retired and disabled veterans' benefits at a rally in Nova Scotia Saturday, saying it's time to "fix" the system in Ottawa.

Speaking at a campaign event in Dartmouth, N.S., Layton said veterans are essentially forced to "fend for themselves" under Stephen Harper's Conservative government.

"He promised to stand up for our veterans, and instead he’s shamefully turned his back on those that bravely served their country." Layton said.

The NDP leader said he would introduce a $103-million package of improved benefits, including:

• Ending a pension reduction that affects some disabled Canadian Forces and RCMP veterans
• Restoring a private insurance plan for retired and disabled veterans
• Overhauling the veteran review and appeal board
• Taking action on the "reasonable demand" of veterans’ organizations, spouses, and widows calling for an immediate public inquiry into toxic chemical spraying at CFB Gagetown in the 1960s and 70s

Col. Pat Stogran, a former veterans ombudsman, joined Layton at Saturday's event and called Harper's tenure in government a "very bleak period" for Canadian veterans.

Layton also said he would introduce a program that would help veterans get jobs in construction and shipbuilding.

The Conservatives announced in last month's federal budget that they would create a "Helmets-to-Hardhats" initiative to help veterans find work in Canada's construction industry as they transition back into civilian life. The initiative was to be modelled after a similar program in the United States.

During his speech, Layton pointed to the case of Sean Bruyea, a veteran's advocate who sought and received an apology from the federal government after bureaucrats improperly shared his medical and psychological diagnosis and treatment information.

NDP Leader Jack Layton addresses supporters as he attends a campaign rally in Dartmouth, N.S. on Saturday, April 2, 2011. The federal election will be held on May 2. Andrew Vaughan/Canadian Press

After the budget was released, Bruyea said that the hardhats-to-helmets program might have "limited relevance" in Canada because many healthy Canadian Forces members spend their entire career in the military. He also noted that physically demanding construction work might not be appropriate for people who were released from the military because of a disability.

When asked by reporters about Bruyea's criticism of the program, Layton said he was open to further measures to help more veterans transition into careers after the military.

When questioned about the campaign, Layton told reporters that he thought the NDP was "off to a good start" after the first week and dismissed questions over turnout numbers at his events.

"Oh, come on," he told the press corps at the Dartmouth event.

"We filled a good-sized room with very enthusiastic people. I am just thrilled by the turnout that we had here, especially by the veterans who came out to support our policies."

He said the party's goal of the campaign was to present the NDP as a "real alternative" to what he called Harper's "very divisive" style of leadership.

Vets support bill passed just before writ dropped

Legislation to provide more cash and support to seriously wounded veterans was passed with all-party support by the House of Commons and received royal assent before the Tory government was toppled last week.

The bill expands eligibility for monthly allowances and introduces an additional $1,000 monthly supplement to help the most seriously wounded, who are unable to return to work.

One of the biggest complaints about the system relates to the New Veterans Charter, which in 2006 overhauled the system of benefits. It replaced lifetime, guaranteed pensions with a sliding scale of lump-sum payments and other benefits for disabilities.

The $285,000 top-end payment is far less generous than what other allied nations give their wounded soldiers. Independent actuarial reports have stated that the lowest-paid and most critically injured soldiers were the ones shortchanged by the revised system.

Layton's rally Saturday was an important one for the NDP, who are aiming to recapture the riding of Dartmouth-Cole Harbour from the Liberals.

The NDP candidate for the Nova Scotia riding is Robert Chisholm. Chisholm, 53, led the provincial NDP in Nova Scotia from 1996 to 2000. He retired from politics in 2003, but returned in January 2011 to vie for a federal seat.

Mike Savage is the Liberal incumbent in the riding. He first won the seat in 2004 with 42.06 per cent of the vote, followed by another victory in 2006 with 42.32 per cent of the vote and a third election victory in 2008 with 39.49 per cent of the vote.

Woman vows to 'dog' Baird at press conference

Harper, who made stops in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island on Friday, has no events planned for the day. Instead, Conservative candidates John Baird and Lawrence Cannon held a press conference in Ottawa to heap criticism on Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff's economic policies.

Baird said the Liberals have already proposed $4 billion in permanent annual spending in the first week of the campaign.

But Baird faced an unorthodox challenge from a woman describing herself as 51-year-old mother who promised to "dog" the candidate's campaign in his riding unless he explained why the Conservatives were held in contempt by Parliament.

Baird responded he didn't accept the premises she stated in her question, adding that the opposition parties acted as judge and accuser in the contempt motion.

Liberals prep platform launch

The less public day for Harper comes a day after he pledged to end taxpayer subsidies for political parties. The same plan in 2008 led to a revolt by all three opposition parties and prompted the Liberals and NDP to strike a coalition deal, supported by the Bloc Québécois.

Also Friday, the Conservatives said they were on track to resolve the HST issue with Quebec. Quebec is demanding compensation for harmonizing the provincial sales tax with the federal goods and services tax in the early 1990s.

Ignatieff also had no scheduled events on Saturday but was expected to be huddled together with strategists as he prepares to unveil the party's platform Sunday morning in Ottawa at a town-hall event.

Some of the party's proposals, including a new child-care plan and a program offering $1,000 a year to every high school student who goes on to university or college, were released during the week.

On Friday, Ignatieff issued a letter that said he was "puzzled" after Harper changed his mind about a one-on-one debate and urged him to reconsider. He also said if elected prime minister, he'd implement a billion-dollar family care program.

Meanwhile, Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe campaigned in Donnacona, Grondines and Trois-Rivières. He again struck out at the Conservatives over the party's loan guarantee pledge for the Lower Churchill Hydro project in central Labrador, which he says is unfair given the lack of federal dollars for Hydro Québec.

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May is scheduled to campaign in the B.C. riding of Saanich-Gulf Islands, where she is aiming to secure her party's first seat in the House of Commons and defeat Conservative incumbent and cabinet minister Gary Lunn.

With files from The Canadian Press