Veterans Affairs committee  Obviously, yes. There are multiple forms that we can use on the service delivery side in terms of understanding what's happening at the front line. As Bernard mentioned, there are performance reporting pieces that we look at in terms of are we meeting turnaround times, are we doing assessments, are we meeting in a timely manner and delivering benefits and services in a timely manner?

Veterans Affairs committee  I think it is probably not fair for us to comment on the responsibilities of the Canadian Forces Health Services. Probably that would be inappropriate.

Veterans Affairs committee  That's a difficult one, I guess, in terms of predicting the future. The one thing I would say is that I think we will continue to see it improve. I think we see more and more focus, not only within the Canadian Forces or within VAC but within multiple jurisdictions, in terms of recognizing the impact of disability and recognizing the importance of early and active engagement with an injured or ill individual.

Veterans Affairs committee  In terms of the interface with VAC, we do have transition services that are available to members while they are still in the military. VAC is notified six months prior to a member being medically released. At that point, we can make a connection with the member if we don't already have a relationship.

Veterans Affairs committee  I think there would be some, and I understand our minister is here later in the week with tabling the estimates, so you can follow up on that.

Veterans Affairs committee  The non-economic component of the dual-award approach is represented by the disability award benefit, in the case of disability, or by the death benefit, in the case of death, which would be payable to the surviving family.

Veterans Affairs committee  This was an absolute investment of new money at the outset, too.

Veterans Affairs committee  Yes, for the first five years.

Veterans Affairs committee  I think maybe the--

Veterans Affairs committee  The programs, as they're designed, are intended to compensate to a certain extent for that. All of the earnings-loss stream.... I mentioned the permanent impairment allowance, which is an allowance that takes into account someone's lack of capacity to participate in a career, or if they are able to work, that they recognize that those with higher levels of disabilities do experience a lack in career progression, so that is a benefit that is payable over the lifetime of the member.

Veterans Affairs committee  Yes, it's one component of the financial benefit package, with the earnings loss being the other piece. It would be payable until age 65. There's a supplementary retirement benefit as well, which is payable at age 65.

Veterans Affairs committee  As I mentioned earlier, in the case of someone who's seriously disabled, the permanent impairment allowance would continue to be paid. The supplementary retirement benefit would be paid out at age 65 as a lump sum. At that point, they would be eligible for other government programs.

Veterans Affairs committee  Mr. Stoffer alluded to that, as well.

Veterans Affairs committee  There is significantly more family support under the new Veterans Charter. In the case of someone who's more seriously disabled and where the veteran can't partake in vocational rehabilitation, the spouse can access that. We'll pay for the training. We'll pay for all of the associated expenses of tuition, child care, etc.

Veterans Affairs committee  Just to reiterate the value of the integrated personal support centres, everyone--all different representatives from different organizations--is working on behalf of the member at that time, where it's a seamless kind of integrated care. There are lots of communications that enable that kind of early planning to facilitate us to have a plan in place at the time the member releases.