Public Accounts committee  I cannot give you that number. We have hired five to date, five additional case managers. The additional are not all in the areas where the offices were closed. We have to be very careful. Ottawa is a high-volume area for obvious reasons. There are a lot of military in the greater Ottawa area.

Public Accounts committee  That is average. The actual average in the country is about 34:1. Our target is 40:1. Our office is very much on the average. It fluctuates. As the Brigadier-General also mentioned, our volume will fluctuate from month to month or from year to year. Unfortunately, we have case managers who are carrying more than 40:1.

Public Accounts committee  The transfer of the records was at around nine weeks for us to get them from the Canadian Armed Forces. It's not all because of privacy. I want to be clear. They do have to cull the information. They do have to make sure that there is no third party information and that we comply with the Privacy Act.

Public Accounts committee  No, they were Canadian Armed Forces; they were not veterans.

Public Accounts committee  Absolutely, sir. We have taken a lot of steps to improve, following and at the same as the Auditor General was in with us reviewing it. As an example, we have simplified the application process for mental health but also for all our application processes for disability. We went from an 18-page form—and I know 18 pages is incredible.

Public Accounts committee  Thank you for the question. I'm not sure that I would quantify the Privacy Act as a detriment to the service. I'd be careful saying that because it's there for a reason as you've highlighted, sir. But we have seen that in the exchange of information between DND and VAC, we have to comply with the Privacy Act.

Public Accounts committee  Our analysis does not go that far, but I agree with you that one year is too long of a wait. That's why we are trying to implement procedures that ensure that appropriate care is available much faster. These are individuals who are waiting a year before receiving psychological care.

Public Accounts committee  Yes, they are.

Public Accounts committee  There would be services available to them within that eight months.

Public Accounts committee  It can and if they are in a crisis or anything we would refer them to either one of our operational stress injury clinics or to provincial mental health centres.

Public Accounts committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good afternoon. I am Michel Doiron, Assistant Deputy Minister of Service Delivery for Veterans Affairs Canada. I have been in this position for just over a year, and this is my first appearance before this committee. Thank you. Joining me today is our director general of health services, Dr.

National Defence committee  Are you talking about people who are still in the forces?

National Defence committee  Veterans Affairs Canada does not compile statistics on suicides or suicide attempts. We work with individuals.

National Defence committee  In conclusion, the benefits and services Veterans Affairs Canada provides to eligible veterans and their families are intended to reduce the burden of disabilities related to military service, thereby reducing the pressures that can hinder successful transition to civilian life.

National Defence committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. It is my pleasure to be here this afternoon with Major-General Millar and other Canadian armed forces colleagues to discuss how we work together for the care of the ill and injured Canadian armed forces personnel and veterans. Joining me today is my director of operational stress injuries, Raymond Lalonde.