House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2015, with 33% of the vote.
Veterans Affairs November 28th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I am not sure why the opposition is criticizing the investment we are making to help Canada's veterans in mental health care cases.
We take veterans' mental health care very seriously. That is exactly why we are introducing more clinics and health care professionals across the country, and more places for veterans to get help. We are expanding the access to treatment right across the country, and we will continue to do that.
Veterans Affairs November 28th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, the investment announced by our government will not only help today's veterans, but will also help veterans of the future.
When our government took office, there were only four operational stress clinics. We have already added 13 specialized military care facilities and our latest investment will add eight additional operational stress injury clinics.
Across the country, we will continue to respond to today's veterans' needs as we move forward.
Veterans November 27th, 2014
Absolutely, Mr. Speaker. Our government has a strong record when it comes to providing support, benefits, and services for Canada's veterans.
It is precisely the reason why we have invested billions of dollars in new additional dollars, even though the opposition has continually voted against virtually every single initiative we have brought forward.
We will continue to stand up for Canada's veterans and their families.
Veterans November 27th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, it was in fact the Minister of Veterans Affairs and our government who recommended the Auditor General review our mental health program so that we could improve it to provide the very best for our Canadian veterans and their families.
The Auditor General clearly said that Veterans Affairs had put in place important mental health supports. Access to mental health support under the rehabilitation program is timely.
At the same time, the Auditor General has made some recommendations in terms of unnecessary delays, and we are working to address those issues.
Veterans November 27th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, on Sunday our government announced additional mental health support for Canada's men and women in the armed forces, for veterans, and for their families. We are investing in a major new operational stress injury clinic in Halifax and eight other satellite locations across this country.
Our government is committed to our veterans, to our armed forces, and to their families, and we will continue to work on their behalf.
Veterans November 27th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I can assure the hon. colleague on the other side that the minister works hard and consults with veterans across the country all the time. As a matter of fact, he is currently travelling overseas with veterans.
It is a top priority for our government. We are working to address some of the recommendations that were brought forward by the Auditor General to address the concerns when it comes to the unnecessary delays. On this side of the House, we will continue to work in the best interests of Canada's veterans.
Veterans November 27th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Auditor General for recognizing that Veterans Affairs does indeed have a robust mental health strategy, which we have put in place, and mental health supports. We provide rehabilitation to our veterans in a timely manner, and we are working to improve the consultation process with veterans.
Also, the Auditor General has identified that there are some unnecessary delays in the processing. We are working to address those issues. We thank the Auditor General for his recommendations.
Veterans November 26th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, our government has consistently increased its support for Canadian veterans. Last week, we announced an additional $200 million investment to strengthen mental health services for members of the Canadian Armed Forces, veterans, and their families.
Our veterans' mental health is something our government takes very seriously, and we will continue to improve upon those services.
Veterans November 26th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, our commitments in the Veterans Affairs' mental health action plan are very clear. We are improving the disability benefit application process to reduce barriers to a timely access to benefits. We are strengthening our outreach effort to better inform the reserve forces of mental health care services, as well as reaching out to families and family physicians. We will measure and report on the effectiveness of our mental health strategy.
Veterans November 26th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, our government has a strong record when it comes to providing benefits and services for Canada's veterans, which is precisely why we have spent over $30 billion since taking office. That is $5 billion more than what the Liberals would have spent in additional dollars.
We will take no lessons from the Liberals over there. Canadians still remember that it was under the Liberal government that our men and women in uniform suffered a decade of darkness.