House debate  Will the government equalize the amount that is afforded for funerals of veterans with Canadian Forces members? The parliamentary secretary indicated that they work with the last post fund. What she did not indicate is that the government provides $3,600 to the last post fund as compared to the $13,000 for Canadian Forces members. Could I please have an answer to my question?

Veterans Affairs committee  There are instances in which the Last Post Fund will provide the assistance and do the assessment afterwards, and if they are required to do some recovery of costs afterwards, they will do that.

Canadian Heritage committee  Although it's not the purview of this committee, we would like to mention that we are in discussions with Minister Blaney about Veterans Affairs concerns, current funding rates of the Last Post Fund. The fund is a not-for-profit organization that delivers funerals and a burial assistance program to eligible Canadian veterans. Fund levels for these funerals have not been adjusted since 2001, and rising costs have meant that funeral directors across Canada have been subsidizing the cost of veterans' funerals.

Veterans Affairs  Speaker, I am glad to say that on this side of the House we not only speak for veterans, but we act for veterans. As I told the member yesterday, this program is managed by the Last Post Fund. It is doing an outstanding job. We fund the Last Post Fund. We are making sure that every military member who is killed or injured during service, whatever his or her rank, is well served and will be treated with respect until the last moment of his or her life.

Veterans  We will continue working with the last post fund and exploring other ways to provide quality services to our veterans.

Business of Supply  For example, it is disgraceful that a Canadian Forces member currently would receive upward of $13,000 for burial costs should he or she die in service, and yet veterans, if they qualify, receive around $3,600 when they die. For years the Last Post Fund has been pressing for an increase to no avail. An uncomplicated application for a hearing aid from a veteran takes 16 weeks. In Halifax last week we heard from a family doctor who has restricted her practice to caring only for veterans.

Veterans Affairs  Speaker, yesterday the Veterans Ombudsman made the case that veterans should receive the same amount for funeral costs as serving Canadian Forces members. However, today we learned that the Conservatives will cut $4 million from the last post fund. Page 30 of the Conservatives' 2008 campaign platform said that they would “increase funeral and burial assistance rates for veterans to bring the rates for veterans in line with those of active duty Canadian Forces and RCMP officers”.

Veterans Affairs committee  I certainly agree that it's commendable, but we as are funding the operating costs and the costs of funeral and burial through a contract with the Last Post Fund, we have been working with them to try to lower their administrative costs in administering the program on our behalf. I think we've made great progress. I think the fund has made great progress in simplifying its own administrative services to get to lower overhead costs of administering that program on our behalf.

Veterans Affairs committee  I have to thank you. You have an immense pride in the work you're doing and in the work that the Last Post Fund and the Power Workers' Union have done. I know that our government shares your passion for commemorating the great work of our veterans and our armed forces. So, truly, thank you.

Veterans Affairs committee  But in 1995, I think—that's what I put in the testimony—all the responsibility for the burial of all veterans was transferred to the Last Post Fund.

Veterans Affairs committee  Thank you for that date. I have another question for you in regard to private donations to the Last Post Fund. In the last five or six years, since I've been elected, I've definitely seen an increase in the number of people attending Remembrance Day ceremonies. As you said, a lot of the time it ramps up around that individual week of remembrance that just passed.

Veterans Affairs committee  We in the Last Post Fund use the same definition the Government of Canada uses; that is, one who has served his country in the armed forces past the recruit training stage till he's qualified in his trade.

Veterans Affairs committee  The last question I have for you is this. And I know this isn't necessarily something that the Last Post Fund would talk about, but I'm asking both of you gentlemen as former military members. The honorary colonel status is often bestowed upon members who were a major or a captain or a lesser rank.

Veterans Affairs committee  Yes, and you noticed in my presentation I said "a veteran is a veteran is a veteran". That's my firm belief. That's the belief of the Last Post Fund. However, that is not the reality of the government program that we administer. We do the best we can with what we have. There is a subtle distinction, which is maybe not clearly understood, in how veterans are treated by Veterans Affairs Canada.

Veterans Affairs committee  The second part is--and this has not been well advertised yet--that since just about the first of this month, the Last Post Fund has engaged in a fundraising campaign. Our honorary chairperson is General Lewis MacKenzie. It's our hope that in this year, this 12-month period forthcoming, once we do the official launch we will raise as an initial target one million dollars.