Veterans Affairs Committee on Feb. 1st, 2022

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Okay. I wasn't actually going there, Minister. I was just asking you about that basic proposition about burnout, because when burnout happens, it puts more pressure on other people, which can lead them to burn out. Yes or no, do you agree with that? Yes?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

I certainly agree that burnout causes a difficulty for any organization in any part of government or any business. You have to make sure that they have a proper workplace. We are doing that at Veterans Affairs Canada—absolutely we're doing that. We are making sure that caseworkers, if they need help or assistance, they get it. Now, I know the ratio is not right, but we're working full time on that, and I think you're aware of that.

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Minister, you mentioned that the caseload was getting smaller. What has been the reduction in caseload average wait times in the past six months?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

Well, what I can tell you is that over the period of time, the caseload was at 22,000 and it was reduced by about 40%. That's exactly where we are.

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Okay—

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

Well, not exactly—I don't want to mislead you, you know. It's not exact.

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

I take your point.

Is it your intent that those case numbers continue to fall?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

Absolutely, sir.

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Okay.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

We have to continue to work on the caseloads...on the personnel, in order to make sure that the caseloads and the ratio are into an appropriate manner [Inaudible—Editor]

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

There were people that were hired recently in order to deal with the overabundance of applications, correct?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

You are right.

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Okay.

Those people, a number of them, were hired on terms, as in, they were set to be hired for a specific period of term that would expire, correct?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

Well, full-time for a period of time, sir, I believe is the right terminology—

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Yes.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

—to make sure that they were well trained and able to do the job. You just don't walk into Veterans Affairs and become a caseworker. There's work to be done in order to make sure they're ready to serve veterans, and Veterans Affairs Canada makes sure that is done.

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Certainly, and you would acknowledge that many of these caseworkers haven't been extended past next month. Is that correct?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

Of course, what I have indicated quite clearly is that we are committed to investing additional resources in this area. That's what we continue to do. We indicated that in our platform, and I fully expect that's what will take place. As I indicated from the start, we will make sure that we continue to work on the backlog to make sure it's appropriately reduced.

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Minister, I would ask that you keep your answer proportionate to my question, please.

With respect to the caseworkers, there is no agreement and no commitment at this time to keep a number of caseworkers past March 2022. Is that correct?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

As I have indicated to you, we have indicated that additional resources will be acquired to make sure we work on the backlog, and make sure we continue to reduce it. I've said that, and I will continue to say that. We will continue to reduce it, as we have.

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

With respect, Minister, that's not what I'm asking. Will you extend the caseworkers past March 2022, yes or no?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

Mr. Caputo, I'm not the Minister of Finance. You know the history from this point on. You know the way government works. What I have to do is indicate, if you want me to answer the question, that the fact is that we've made the commitment and we will follow-through with our commitment.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

Thank you, Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Caputo.

We will now have Mrs. Rechie Valdez, for six minutes.

Go ahead, please.

[Rechie Valdez, Liberal, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

Good evening, Minister MacAulay and Mr. Ledwell. I appreciate the opportunity to ask both of you questions.

Minister, my first two questions are in reference to your mandate letter, which indicates that you will “Ensure the benefit system and services are responsive to and meet the needs of under-represented Veterans, including women, LGBTQ2, racialized and Indigenous Veterans.”

Can you comment on what progress has been made thus far, and what work may lie ahead?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

I very much appreciate your question.

As you know, one of the first things that happened when I became Minister of Veterans Affairs was a conference on women and LGBTQ veterans. This was two or three different meetings that we had in this area. It was well attended from right across the country. It is a vitally important question and it gives the office a chance to focus on the issues that women and LGBTQ veterans face on gender equality, diversity and inclusion for all veterans. It's so vitally important.

We have heard from many women veterans forums and we want to hear from any female veterans. We're wide open to this. I think there's a different way that you have to serve different issues for different veterans. In fact, that's why we had this meeting for the Office of Women and LGBTQ2 Veterans. It was to make sure the department understood basically what different issues women and LGBTQ people were facing and to make sure that they were able to deal with that.

More needs to be done in this area. I was pleased to see that my mandate letter included ensuring that the benefit system and services are responsive to meeting the needs of the under-represented veterans including women, LGBTQ, racialized and indigenous veterans and to making sure that people who are not properly represented have a better chance to have their issues addressed with Veterans Affairs. That is what we have done and that is what we will continue to do.

I have indicated that these conferences will be held on a yearly basis. The last one or two had to be held virtually, but they were well responded to. I think it's fair to say that the department received a lot of very valuable information in order to deal with these clients.

That's basically where we are on this issue.