That, of course, is the point of view of Veterans Affairs Canada. It is cutting the number of public servants and thinks that every veteran is able to transition easily into civilian life in less than six months. Unfortunately, that isn't the case. When you listen, when you ask veterans in Quebec City, in Quebec, for their opinion, that isn't what I am hearing, and I am sure that veterans in Quebec City are no different from veterans in the rest of Canada. They are not getting services. They have told me that they never complained about services; they are only asking that there be more people to respond to their needs. They have never complained about the work of public servants, and salute their work, but they think that there aren't enough of them. So, imagine how it will be with the cuts that are under way in this area. It really isn't the right direction to take.
That is the message that needs to be put across on behalf of all veterans. They want to know that this committee and the department will take their needs into account. They are asking for more direct services, to speak to a person and not stay on hold after dialing a 1-800-something-Canada number. They want to speak to people and do not want to go from one case manager to another, and tell their story again and again to each one. They want to feel that they can trust the individuals who will remain in place and who will be able to provide them with services. That is the first important thing.
I'm wondering if you have a game plan for long-term health care, which continues to be a problem. Given the closure of the Sainte-Anne hospital, this will be abandoned. Have you thought about providing veterans with long-term health care?