Veterans Affairs committee  Thank you very much. I'll start by saying that at Veterans Affairs Canada we recently put together veterans in the public service unit. It's a unit on behalf of the government that we have in our human resources division that really is there to be able to help veterans seek public service jobs.

Veterans Affairs committee  Yes. The next piece of this is that we're very actively engaged in a career-transition employment strategy. Certainly at the heart of well-being—and we talked very much about what that means—is a sense of purpose. For some, that sense of purpose might be retiring and having a hobby.

Veterans Affairs committee  Thank you very much for the question. I think that question is central to everything you do, to your reports and the recommendations you want to present. As we said, it's clear that efforts are being made. It's important to remember that there is a lot of work involved in a transition.

Veterans Affairs committee  I'm not sure I'm an expert in this field, but as director general of the department's Policy and Research Division, I can say that we have certainly been asked for recommendations and advice.

Veterans Affairs committee  Yes.

Veterans Affairs committee  I would say yes. I think you're aware that the RCMP, through their superannuation act, receive benefits through an agreement with Veterans Affairs Canada under the Pension Act. Having said that, though, they are represented on each one of our six ministerial advisory groups. For example, with regard to the advisory group on families, we have a representative of the RCMP Veterans' Association who speaks very openly and actively about the situation of RCMP families.

Veterans Affairs committee  Definitely, and I could go on about this, so I will try to be brief. I know that Jenny did speak to you. I spoke to you a moment ago about their three themes: recognize and compensate, inform and engage, and serve and support. I'll start off by saying that we're certainly on the right path, but when it comes to family, there's still a lot more to do.

Veterans Affairs committee  I'll just add very briefly to what Colonel Maurais said. I believe you heard from Brigadier-General Misener at one of the conversations and as a witness. We're very much working collectively and collaboratively to enhance transition services moving forward, partnering from the start, whatever that start may be, depending on the needs of the individuals, so that the word “seamless” actually means something.

Veterans Affairs committee  We contracted that work to the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research at Queen's University. I can't speak specifically to how, but it has followed all required research protocols to be able to determine the 27 interviews and three focus groups.

Veterans Affairs committee  Yes, certainly.

Veterans Affairs committee  Certainly when we look at what we do within Veterans Affairs Canada, our values are based very strongly on care, compassion, and respect. I must start by saying that care, compassion, and respect is not only outward facing, but also very much within what we do amongst ourselves within the departments and the partnerships we've built with others.

Veterans Affairs committee  Good morning, Mr. Chair, vice-chairs, and members of the committee. My name is Faith McIntyre, and I'm the director general of policy and research with Veterans Affairs Canada. I am also the co-chair of the ministerial advisory group on families, with Sergeant, retired, Alannah Gilmore.

Finance committee  It is our only VAC residential in-patient clinic, operated through the province. It is accessible to veterans across the country who are, of course, referred for their proper mental health reasons to attend. Their travel is paid. In most circumstances, depending upon the need of the spouse or family member to attend, travel would be considered for them as well.

Finance committee  You're welcome.

Finance committee  Sure. Thank you very much. It is a very important consideration. We do have eligibility for reserve forces in all of our programs. To the point of the ombudsman, as well, we are now working toward a consolidation of all of these benefits. In doing so, we are relooking at that eligibility and working actively again with the Canadian Armed Forces.