Veterans Affairs Committee on March 5th, 2013

[The Vice-Chair, NDP, Peter Stoffer]

Yes. Okay.

[Mary Chaput, Deputy Minister, Department of Veterans Affairs]

Sir, by way of explanation as to how the access centre will work, a veteran will come to our building. He will be greeted at the entrance of the building where he will provide his name and, if he wishes, his file number and the nature of his inquiry. An employee will then be paged to come to meet the veteran. That employee, who will be a generalist with experience in a wide variety of services and benefits available to veterans, will then sit with that veteran, face-to-face, and deal with what his wishes or needs might be. If indeed they are very complex, that employee would ensure the veteran has an immediate bridge to any kind of specialist he may need, be it a case manager or other health professional. If they are of a more general nature, for instance, information on programs and services, it's quite likely the veteran's inquiries will be dealt with right then and there.

The effort is to ensure that those who need very specialized care get it without delay should they have an urgent or emerging need, and that those with more general interest still get the kind of attention that's appropriate. We need to keep in mind that many, many veterans are very well situated; in terms of their personal lives, they are getting along fine, but they still have questions now and then. We want to make that information easily available to them as well as those with complex needs.

[The Vice-Chair, NDP, Peter Stoffer]

Thank you very much, Deputy Minister.

We will now go on to Mr. Zimmer, please.

[Bob Zimmer, Conservative, Prince George—Peace River, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thanks, first of all, to all the past and present service men and women who have served our country. Thanks for your service.

Thank you, Minister, for coming today. It's always great to have you here. I've said to you before that you're a minister who obviously cares about veterans, and you wear it on your sleeve. We appreciate that, and we appreciate your care for veterans.

You've already talked about some new supports that we have for our veterans, but what could we do, as members of Parliament, to help you ensure we repay our debt of gratitude to our veterans?

[Steven Blaney, Conservative, Lévis—Bellechasse, QC]

I thank you for your question.

I will tell you that in my personal experience as a member of Parliament, veterans naturally go to their member of Parliament, because it's the link between them and the government for which they served this country. Whatever party you are in, it's important, I believe, as a member of Parliament, to always welcome veterans, listen to them, and of course convey their requests to me, which many members already do. Actually, I must tell you that I'm always amazed by the level of commitment that members of Parliament have for their veterans.

On a broader basis, I invite all members of Parliament to take initiatives in the Year of the Korean War Veteran. There are Korean War veterans in every part of the country. We used to say that it was the forgotten war. I thank the chair for raising this issue. I think we have a great opportunity.

I want to tell you in advance that this year's Remembrance Week will be focused on all veterans, but we'll pay special attention to Korean War veterans. Why is that? Because, of course, 60 years ago, in 1953, those Canadians went abroad and fought for liberty and for freedom, and today in that country we have the 13th industrial power in the world. I always brag about Samsung, Hyundai, Kia, Daou, and all those Korean companies that are part of our daily lives. They are due to the successes of these Korean people, who have benefited from the sacrifices of the Canadians.

Yes, we will put emphasis on the Year of the Korean War Veteran, and we will raise awareness. That's the other mandate. My department can work with all members to make those stories known and to awake the curiosity of Canadians about the Korean War. Canadians were there. What did they do? What did they accomplish? What were the big fights? Who was involved? Those are the kinds of questions that we're seeking to answer. That's an important part of the mandate.

This morning I'm asking for money that will go mainly into the pockets of veterans, but one...and this committee has already approved it, since the first study in this session was about Remembrance. There are important dates, so that's for Remembrance.

To conclude, the other part where you can get involved is in encouraging corporations in your riding to hire veterans. There's a strong appetite and there's a strong will, so we can be facilitators. My department and our resources, and charities such as True Patriot Love and Canada Company, are involved in our helmets to hardhats initiative. There are a lot of initiatives. Also, of course, we are working with a corporation in the veterans transition committee. They are there to make ways for our veterans to transition into civilian life. This is a way to help veterans and to give them meaning after their military career, such as some members who have turned to politics.

[Bob Zimmer, Conservative, Prince George—Peace River, BC]

Yes. Thank you, Minister.

I have another question that builds on what we've discussed before about your being an effective minister. In your estimation, do the moneys asked for in the main estimates allow our ministry to be an effective ministry for veterans?

[Steven Blaney, Conservative, Lévis—Bellechasse, QC]

Yes, and I will tell you why: because we are a needs-based organization. As long as I get the support of this committee to come here for additional funding, we will be able as a country to make sure that veterans get the benefits and the services to which they are entitled and fully deserve. Together, of course, we can work at streamlining those processes and making access easier.

[The Vice-Chair, NDP, Peter Stoffer]

Thank you very much, Mr. Minister.

Mr. Zimmer, thank you very much.

We'll now go to Ms. Mathyssen, for five minutes, please.

[Irene Mathyssen, NDP, London—Fanshawe, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister.

I have a number of questions.

First, we're all very familiar with the SISIP class action suit. What was the cost to the government of defending that lawsuit against veterans?

[Steven Blaney, Conservative, Lévis—Bellechasse, QC]

I will defer this question to my colleague, the Minister of National Defence.

[Irene Mathyssen, NDP, London—Fanshawe, ON]

You have no idea what...?

[Steven Blaney, Conservative, Lévis—Bellechasse, QC]

Well, I don't want to give a number that is not accurate, and this file was related to National Defence.

[Irene Mathyssen, NDP, London—Fanshawe, ON]

Well, my number is $150 million. Wouldn't that money have been better spent on veterans?

[Steven Blaney, Conservative, Lévis—Bellechasse, QC]

If I may, Ms. Mathyssen, I think it is important to seek clarity whenever the government is making important decisions. As you know, our government has decided not to appeal this decision. This has an impact of more than a billion dollars that will go into the pockets of our veterans.

As you know, we as Veterans Affairs have decided that we would go above and beyond this court decision. That's why we are levelling up our earnings loss benefit, our Canadian Forces income support program. I also intend to bring forward some legislation for the veterans allowance so that we can make sure that when our veterans receive money, it is legally and undisputedly legitimate.

[Irene Mathyssen, NDP, London—Fanshawe, ON]

Yet, still, the veterans had to take the government to court. It's unfortunate. And very clearly you seem to understand that there is an imperative in regard to supporting veterans. Yet you waited until they actually took you to court.

My next question has to do with the idea of including the supplementary estimates in the main estimates. We don't have the report on plans and priorities yet. In your own notes, you indicate this report will change the actual number in terms of the department. Why is there the rush? We have until the end of June for the main estimates. I feel very uncomfortable with being asked to approve main estimates before I have all the information. And so my question again is, why the rush?

[Steven Blaney, Conservative, Lévis—Bellechasse, QC]

If I may, if you are willing to show support for veterans in the coming weeks and the coming months, I invite you to support the War Veterans Allowance Act that will allow you to directly support veterans by investing and making sure they are receiving the benefits that they deserve.

Regarding the main estimates, I never find it too early to invest prudently in our veterans. As you know, it is important that we move forward since the budget is coming, since we are ending the fiscal year, and I know your time is precious. I am always happy to come, but I believe that to come here and ask for main estimates, and of course, the supplementary estimates (C), is a good use of your time.

[Irene Mathyssen, NDP, London—Fanshawe, ON]

Thank you, Minister. Certainly, we, in the opposition, fight very hard for our veterans.

I assume this will probably be my last question. You said that veterans come to federal MPs because they see them as the direct link to the government for which they served.

By that token, what level of government should be responsible for the needs of veterans? Is it federal or is it provincial? If it's federal, why on earth are we transferring the cost and responsibility of the long-term care of our veterans to the provinces?

[Steven Blaney, Conservative, Lévis—Bellechasse, QC]

On the contrary, this government and the previous government take their responsibility to our veterans very seriously. I think you have in front of you the chart that shows that since 2006, investment in government has increased, on average, by more than $800 million. Of course, we're not here to talk about numbers, but I think it shows a clear demonstration that, as a society, we're committed to providing our veterans with the services to which they are entitled.

One of the reasons there has been this massive increase is the implementation of the new Veterans Charter, which was an all-party initiative that was supported broadly. And I would also mention the enhancements that were brought forward initially by my predecessor, Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn, and which I have implemented, which were the enhancements to the new Veterans Charter that were specifically aimed at the most injured and seriously ill veterans.

Now, regarding the long-term care, as you know, Ms. Mathyssen, it is clear that every veteran in this country who has a service-related injury, who needs long-term care, can have access to the full array of services from this department.

[The Vice-Chair, NDP, Peter Stoffer]

Sorry, Ms. Mathyssen. It's well over five minutes.

Thank you very much, Mr. Minister.

We now go on to Mr. Lobb, for five minutes, please.

[Ben Lobb, Conservative, Huron—Bruce, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Welcome, Minister.

I have three or four questions. The first one is on depleted uranium. During the four and a half years that I've been on this committee, there have been different witnesses who have testified at committee. They haven't spoken directly about depleted uranium, but you certainly have alluded to it. You've taken it upon yourself and the department to have Dr. Morisset do a study and a report. I just wondered if you could talk about that and the commitment from the department to shed light on this.

[Steven Blaney, Conservative, Lévis—Bellechasse, QC]

Mr. Lobb, thank you for your question.

The government has a duty to ensure that the care provided to veterans is based on the most recent scientific data. That is why I called on international experts who have had an opportunity to appear before the committee.

I would like to thank you for taking the time to study this important issue regarding the health of our veterans. That is why I struck the Scientific Advisory Committee on Veterans' Health, which is chaired by Dr. Pierre Morisset. The work done has been remarkable on an international scale, and it will be used as a reference for scientific rigour, scientific review and the analyses you are currently looking into. As you know, some of the experts even come from the United States. Those people have medical and military experience. I want to reiterate that the principle consists in making sure that any services provided by the government are based on the most recent scientific data. That is clearly why this report was produced and why we are implementing the recommendations.

That being said, if you will allow me a more personal comment, Mr. Lobb, I think that, although we must ensure to provide the services our veterans need, we should also keep in mind the idea of suffering or perception. The goal of the government and the department is not to engage in a debate with veterans, but rather to ensure that we are providing them with the programs and services they need.

[Ben Lobb, Conservative, Huron—Bruce, ON]

I agree with you there. For veterans who maybe thought that they had this issue, maybe it allows their treatment to move down and look at other possible avenues for getting better.

Another question I wanted to ask you is along the idea of transformation within the department. Certainly we know that years ago the department was very much antiquated from a technology standpoint. I just wondered if you could bring the committee up to the date with the department's efforts on technology and really transforming the department into a modern one.

[Steven Blaney, Conservative, Lévis—Bellechasse, QC]

Thank you.

There's a need, as you know, to move toward technology. That's why we've implemented those services on the web. Now a veteran or a family member of a veteran can have access to our services and can also have private, secure access to the file. We believe that there will be stronger pickup as the year goes on since, of course, we are all turning toward technology. We are investing in technology.

Actually, I was with Ms. Chaput, and we had an opportunity to share our Canadian experience with American General Shinseki, a former Vietnam veteran who's been in the enduring freedom mission in Iraq and who is now the United States secretary of veterans affairs. He has complimented the people of my department for having developed the software that's used by our veterans and for their ongoing discussion with the American government sharing our experience. These tools were developed by the department.

[Ben Lobb, Conservative, Huron—Bruce, ON]

I agree. When we look back at the administration of the department, we'll see that this was the best investment for taxpayers' dollars, enabling the delivery of a world-class service and being a model for the rest of the world on how the administration is delivered within Veterans Affairs. Thank you for that continued investment.

One last topic you've touched on a couple of times today is privacy. The department has done a tremendous amount of work on privacy in the last three or four years. Perhaps you could bring the committee up to date briefly. I know we're probably out of time, but just quickly, if you can, comment on some of the initiatives the department's done on privacy.

[Steven Blaney, Conservative, Lévis—Bellechasse, QC]

To make sure that privacy is of utmost concern, the best tool is to make every employee in this department aware of the importance of respecting the privacy of all our veterans. As part of our action plan and the additional recommendation we've implemented, after having analyzed the report of the ombudsman, we have measures to ensure that we are protecting the privacy of our veterans through information, guidance, rules, and procedures that make sure that only those related to a file have access to it in a secure manner.

That's the way we've been moving forward. I was given the opportunity yesterday, and I will take this opportunity today, to mention that we got a comment from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner, which said, “Veterans Affairs Canada has sent a clear signal that privacy is vital to its operations....The Department is moving from reacting to privacy issues to proactively addressing them”. We are moving in that direction and we will keep on moving that way.