Evidence of meeting #12 for Veterans Affairs in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was million.
A recording is available from Parliament.
10:15 a.m.
Conservative
10:15 a.m.
NDP
Peter Stoffer NDP Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS
Mr. Hillier, as you know, we've done a press conference on the fact that certain people have lost access to their psychiatrists because they now live farther away and they don't have travel claim benefits any more. I don't need your answer now, but I'm wondering if you could look into that.
For example, there's the gentleman in Truro I talked about. As you know, people with PTSD like to go to the same psychologists all the time. He was denied his travel claim benefits and thus lost the opportunity to see his psychiatrist. He was told he should look for people in Truro to help him out—and there aren't any, by the way.
So I'm wondering if you could look into that and see if those travel claims will be reimbursed.
Thank you.
10:15 a.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Service Delivery, Department of Veterans Affairs
Quite quickly, Mr. Chair, I can't comment on any particular veteran's issues, but I can assure you that we afford the maximum flexibility for veterans who need to see specialists.
10:15 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Greg Kerr
Thank you very much.
Mr. Daniel, for one minute, questions and answers.
10:15 a.m.
Conservative
Joe Daniel Conservative Don Valley East, ON
Just to follow up on the improvements you're making to veterans' services, how are you actually going to ensure that the quality of service doesn't diminish with this new process?
10:15 a.m.
Deputy Minister, Department of Veterans Affairs
The mechanisms are in place. We also survey veterans, as we said before, to ensure that we get their feedback. As the minister said, we listen to veterans and make the adjustments.
10:15 a.m.
An hon. member
[Inaudible--Editor]
10:15 a.m.
Some hon. members
Oh, oh!
10:15 a.m.
Liberal
Sean Casey Liberal Charlottetown, PE
Mr. Hillier, the last time you appeared before this committee, I asked you to produce the Coulter report. You told me that you would take it under advisement. Madam Tining referred to the Coulter report again in testimony today. Given that you took the matter under advisement last time, I think it's fair that this time I ask your boss.
Madam Tining, will you today agree to release the Coulter report?
10:15 a.m.
Conservative
Brian Storseth Conservative Westlock—St. Paul, AB
On a point of order, Mr. Chair, this is about supplementary estimates (B). This isn't about reports and releasing reports. I actually don't think that question is appropriate for this meeting.
10:15 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Greg Kerr
It certainly is on the border, because you'd have to tie it back to the study beyond the supplementary estimates and some of the questions there.
Would you have a second question? We'll allow you additional time for a second one. I'm not sure the first one is relevant to the particular proceedings today.
10:15 a.m.
Liberal
Sean Casey Liberal Charlottetown, PE
It's highly relevant. It was part of her testimony earlier in the meeting. I'm following up on something she said.
10:15 a.m.
An hon. member
[Inaudible--Editor]
10:15 a.m.
Conservative
10:15 a.m.
Deputy Minister, Department of Veterans Affairs
This independent assessment was requested by cabinet. The report was submitted to cabinet. As such, it's a cabinet confidence.
10:15 a.m.
Conservative