Veterans Affairs committee  I said that because sometimes what we have found in dealing with bureaucracy is that they forget that they were human first, because it's all about policy, power, and ego for some. And it's like saying, “Hey, now, step back aside. You were human first before you came into a position of power.”

Veterans Affairs committee  No, I'm not referring to that. I'm talking about the ones we had to deal with who were uncaring, who would make comments to our faces that “we only pay the living”. It's those individuals. It's not every one. It's those--and they know who they are--who were rude, who caused widows to cry because of those comments.

Veterans Affairs committee  I have a concern with the list as well. There are individuals on the list who have been proven not to have been living in the area at the time. However, they were able to get two people to sign an affidavit saying they were there, and they were successful applicants. Another concern I have with those lists is that my name is on the list because, yes, I was successful for my condition.

Veterans Affairs committee  I actually would like to respond to that, if I may. I am a civilian and I have dealt with a lot of civilians who did not even apply because the forms were so complex. When they called to see if this qualified or that qualified or where they needed to go, they were getting different responses depending on who they talked to.

Veterans Affairs committee  It should be. That is something that needs to be added, most definitely.

Veterans Affairs committee  We can do that.

Veterans Affairs committee  We'll certainly do that.

Veterans Affairs committee  Where would a civilian go for that aspect of it?

Veterans Affairs committee  I would like to make a comment, if I could.

Veterans Affairs committee  You indicated that dates were set and had to be adhered to because they had to set a date. To my way of thinking, dates were set. All victims of the chemical spray agent orange would be compensated from 1956 to 1984. Those are the dates that should be indicated--not 1966 and 1967 but those dates there, 1956 to 1984 and beyond.

Veterans Affairs committee  Nine, provide compensation from the government for their part—in other years prior to and post-1966-67—in the chemical spraying at CFB Gagetown. Ten, send a letter of apology from the independent affiliate to the widows whom he offended with rude remarks and argumentative tones during various late-night conversations on the telephone.

Veterans Affairs committee  I would like to make a comment, if I could.

Veterans Affairs committee  You referred to the apology to the first nations people for the suffering they went through. People need to realize that an acknowledgement and apology will help us with closure and help us to continue and allow us to know that we're not fighting in vain. We're not going away. We're not.

Veterans Affairs committee  Yes, it is. How can you make people sick and not apologize or acknowledge in apology? We lost loved ones, and everyone agrees that this is a tragedy, but nobody will stand up to say we are sorry that your loved ones are dead, sick, or dying; we are sorry that we killed your husband through the use of pesticides.

Veterans Affairs committee  Because it's going to uncover more issues. It's going to bring to light the unfairness, the injustices, and the blunders. The way errors are continuing to happen is almost like slapstick comedy, in a sick way. And I think to save face is why it has not been called yet. When it is called, it is so important that someone represents the civilians to oversee and help them with the inquiry, the errors, and the blunders, and to work with them to make it right, if there is a way of doing that.