Evidence of meeting #18 for Veterans Affairs in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was ombudsman.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:10 p.m.
Veterans Ombudsman, Office of the Veterans Ombudsman
There are two different questions there, Mr. Chair.
Did it give us any ideas? No. I can say with the utmost confidence that the people I have right now, who have studied the Australian, American, and British approaches, are ahead of the power curve on that. But it does contain some very good recommendations on ways the department could and should go ahead.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
Thank you, Mr. Stogran, and thank you, Mr. Gaudet.
It's 5:10 right now, and we agreed that by 5:15 we'd go into business. If there is no uprising by the committee, I just have a couple of questions. From all the questions I've heard, I'd like to try to tie down a couple of facts.
Are you okay with that, Madam Sgro? Thank you.
In the March 31 report you gave to the minister, which I'm assuming you have submitted....
5:10 p.m.
Veterans Ombudsman, Office of the Veterans Ombudsman
No, sir. As of the close of business on the 31st.... We're in the process now of finishing a draft, and it will be submitted in the future. It reports on the period up to the end of the fiscal year.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
Okay. I'm glad for that clarity. So that's still pending.
I'm not even certain. I guess if I'm not, your legal counsel will say. In that report, are there just high-level policy recommendations, or are the things you mentioned, like posters and pamphlets, in there as well?
5:10 p.m.
Veterans Ombudsman, Office of the Veterans Ombudsman
It's going to be at a bit higher level than pamphlets and posters. We're still in the process of putting it together.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
Okay. So let me just try to clarify. You affirmed in one of your answers that you agreed that there were local efforts happening as far as homelessness goes. So are you basically looking at a national study and strategy? Is that what you wish Veterans Affairs Canada to undertake? Is that what you're saying is lacking and what you would want to see happen?
5:10 p.m.
Veterans Ombudsman, Office of the Veterans Ombudsman
Mr. Chair, I think that about sums it up. What's lacking right now is leadership and direction from the top. There are initiatives going on across the country in all sorts of areas. I used the story about the Harley-Davidson motorcycles. But what is missing is clear commander's guidance and a plan that's disseminated to the troops, complete with resources, to actually address the issue.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
5:10 p.m.
Veterans Ombudsman, Office of the Veterans Ombudsman
I can say that I've met with about two dozen--20 or so. In terms of homeless veterans who we were asked to help, there were two we actually referred to the department. So in terms of just meeting and speaking with them, the number is much greater than the number of people who actually asked us for help, as the ombudsman, on their behalf.
5:10 p.m.
Liberal
Judy Sgro Liberal York West, ON
Colonel Stogran, what don't you have that you need to do your job so that you are satisfied that you're doing your function properly? What is it you don't have, or what is it you need?
Do you want to let us know later? I don't want to take it too far into our time.
5:10 p.m.
Veterans Ombudsman, Office of the Veterans Ombudsman
Mr. Chair, we are in very early stages here, and despite the recent public controversy that's arisen over the homelessness issue, this is really the first time we've ever cut our teeth on anything that's anywhere near to controversial. I'm not deterred by this. I don't take it personally. I'm dismayed that I might have come across as being disrespectful to the minister. This is really the first time we've had to address something that is a level 3 or a level 4 type of intervention.
I'm still very optimistic. We have done an internal review of how we treated this issue, with a view to putting some measures in place—because we're developing our doctrine as we go along—so that hopefully this type of thing won't happen in the future. It's very much counter-productive.
Aside from those, resources, of course.... We have a huge flow of information, and calling for those 10 FTEs that were apportioned to the role of ombudsman but are misemployed.... That is something that I have no hesitation in saying we could use right away, and it would be unnoticed to the government of the day.
I think we will get over this homelessness problem and will establish a working relationship. I would definitely come forward in the future if there were anything we really needed.
5:15 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
Thank you, Mr. Stogran.
We appreciate your time here, Mr. Stogran, and the unfettered way that you answered questions.
We're now going to take a brief break so that the sound technician can move us in camera.
We're going to be dealing with business. Only members and staff will be able to remain in the room. We'll come back in 120 seconds.
[Proceedings continue in camera]