Veterans Affairs committee  Very quickly, Mr. Chair, I think it's important for us to interact in a respectful and a productive manner with all of our bargaining agents, including the UVAE. They are the largest representative bargaining unit on behalf of their members and our employees at Veterans Affairs C

Veterans Affairs committee  If I could add quickly, Mr. Chair, the last number I have received is that 175 veterans are currently employed at Veterans Affairs Canada.

Veterans Affairs committee  We want to increase that.

Veterans Affairs committee  That's absolutely right. We want more of them employed at Veterans Affairs Canada, and, as the minister has indicated, right across the Government of Canada.

Veterans Affairs committee  There's no target currently, but we're very open to establishing a target, absolutely.

Veterans Affairs committee  Mr. Chair, I've not seen the letter and would look forward to reviewing it. I think the department is certainly interested in supporting veterans and making sure that veterans have the supports they require. We've done everything we can to ensure that's the case. We have sought

Veterans Affairs committee  Yes.

Veterans Affairs committee  Thanks, Mr. Chair. It's a very important and timely question, so I really appreciate your raising it. I think the minister has indicated and we uphold that one homeless veteran is one too many. Our desire is to bring effective homelessness amongst veterans down to zero.

Veterans Affairs committee  In the last budget, budget 2022, there was a commitment to augment the budgetary allocation that was there so that greater than $100 million will be in place over the next five years to provide supports to veterans directly, and—

Veterans Affairs committee  Our area offices across the country are active on this, first of all. They work very closely with local organizations that are also doing this in their own communities to try to identify and then help those veterans who may be homeless or house-insecure. That work has continued.

Veterans Affairs committee  You're very right, and there's more to come. Stay tuned.

Veterans Affairs committee  If I may, Mr. Chair, I will defer this question to my colleague Amy Meunier, who is responsible for commemoration.

Veterans Affairs committee  I think it was very well documented here at committee and contained in the media. We indicated that very openly. It was known.

Veterans Affairs committee  That's correct. I would say, in addition to the committee in terms of public discourse, there was a lot of attention on this issue, so it would be very surprising to know a veteran who might not have seen that. It was so well covered publicly.

Veterans Affairs committee  As you know, the ombud wrote directly to the minister to raise concerns about these individuals, who were veterans of the RCMP. A response has come back to the ombud from the minister. There will be communication going out to all those who have been affected to ensure that the pr