I'll try to do the most I can with the time I am given.
First, I would like to address Ste. Anne's Hospital with the honourable member. Actually we are having a good discussion with the Quebec government, but at this point in time there are no agreements in principle, nor any agreements. So at this very moment, I really need the full amount for the current fiscal year, so that we are able to provide first-quality services to our veterans.
As you know, we have a high level of service for our veterans. It's important that we keep on providing those services. In the meantime, I must tell you that, as a minister, it is important for me to move forward with our negotiation with the Quebec government for two reasons. The first is that, as the population is declining, we have had a hard time.... We have a skilled workforce and to make sure that we are providing this workforce with all the challenges it needs, we need to have a....
We close a floor every month, so my first priority is to maintain high-level service to veterans. That's why we are looking for opportunities with the Quebec government, and of course, those employees. They are a great staff. They are skilled personnel. I think they can provide service to the Quebec community. That's why we'll be moving forward, but at this point in time, I need all the money.
You've addressed the red tape issue, and I would like to come back to the tribunal. I think the member will be given the opportunity. I understand that in the near future the chairman of the tribunal will be here.
There are three things I would like to say regarding the tribunal. As you know, this department is processing more than roughly 40,000 requests a year. Most of these requests are accepted at a ratio of, let's say, 3:4. Some of those requests are not accepted by our department, and I find it important for our veterans to have the tools so that they can revisit these decisions. This is exactly what the tribunal is all about, as you're well aware. As of last year, when they would revisit a decision, 50% of those decisions would be rendered in favour of the veterans.
The tribunal is important for veterans, not necessarily for the minister and not for the members. It is important that we have an effective tribunal, and that's why within this tribunal, as you know, there are skilled and competent members who are appointed. They are RCMP veterans. They are military. They are experienced medical personnel. They are people with some background in judicial or other jurisdictions. So it's important that we have an effective tribunal because it is helping our veterans a lot.
There are certainly improvements that can be made, especially to make sure our veterans are not caught in a too-long procedure. One aspect of the tribunal that I think is important is that it has this veterans “colour”, and this is something I think our veterans cherish.
Regarding the Bomber Command, that's a good point. That's part of the centennial of the First...even though it's the Second World War. That's part of commemoration, and do we have the capacity as a government to invest abroad? I have received requests from Gallipoli, of the First World War. There was a human sacrifice made in Passchendaele in the First World War, and there is a museum at a house in Passchendaele, which I'm told is mostly about Canadian history. Those people are coming to see us, Canada, as a government, and asking if we can provide them with some funding. Now the Bomber Command is for the Olympics in London. It relates to these great
air force pilots who carried out bombings in Germany, during World War II.
So it is actually important to come up with mechanisms. We now have mechanisms to encourage commemoration here in Canada, through activities or cenotaphs. But we don't have the tools to respond internationally. We obviously still have to focus on commemorating activities in our country, but there are some activities that we can't really afford to miss. I definitely want to look into that over the next few months.