Veterans Affairs committee  That's right, but they're not resident clients.

Veterans Affairs committee  That's right.

Veterans Affairs committee  I think that's one of the reasons it would be useful to have perhaps a more in-depth briefing on what the clinics are doing. Actually, the network is sort of the brain centre. The centre is operating one facility, and now a second residential facility will be developed, but they'

Veterans Affairs committee  Our feeling is that this is really an alignment of the needs they have with the issues we're facing with the declining number of veterans. It's actually lining up very well. We think this would solve some of their issues in the area around Ste. Anne's for access to long-term care

Veterans Affairs committee  Rachel, would you respond, please?

Veterans Affairs committee  Thank you for those comments.

Veterans Affairs committee  If I may, I will refer that to Madame Gravel, who has been managing that project since its inception quite successfully. Rachel, I'll just refer this to you, if I may.

Veterans Affairs committee  Thank you for the question. The discussions haven't reached that stage, but we know we will have to cover those points. In the way it's been handled, there are a number of successful institutions across Canada—for example, The Lodge at Broadmead--where there are civilians and ve

Veterans Affairs committee  I can ask Darragh to elaborate, but if their injuries are so severe that they need institutionalization, they can be considered veterans for the purposes of long-term care facilities. Is that correct, Darragh?

Veterans Affairs committee  I'll say a couple of things. One is that we are constantly looking at the long-term care strategy that the department has within the current eligibility framework. It might be useful for the committee, at some point, to have a more fulsome briefing on that particular aspect. Part

Veterans Affairs committee  I'll ask Madame Gravel to elaborate, but essentially if we do that—and I underline “if” because it's still a discussion item—it would be an arrangement where we would reflect the needs that Quebec has in services provided, the beds they would use. So we would attempt for the civi

Veterans Affairs committee  Sir, could I ask Rachel Gravel, if I may--

Veterans Affairs committee  That is a possibility, sir, and we are still, as I said, in exploratory discussions with Quebec and looking at their needs and our needs. We're looking at that possibility.

Veterans Affairs committee  Certainly that would be part of the negotiated arrangement. Should we proceed to formal negotiations and get to that stage, we would be ensuring that in the negotiated arrangement those guarantees would be in place.

Veterans Affairs committee  No, I'll just take that as a statement.