Veterans Affairs committee  I think the biggest thing is the Veterans Affairs policy that Master Corporal Wojcichowsky referred to. They don't have sufficient policies to deal with trauma that was perpetrated over years and decades, and the impact of that on mental health. I think that needs to be reviewed for women veterans at VAC.

Veterans Affairs committee  I've been trying for over two and a half years to get services from Veterans Affairs on this issue, with no success to date. My GP wrote a scathing letter, telling them they were ridiculous not to acknowledge my doctor's report. That has gone to Veterans Affairs. I don't know how long that will take.

Veterans Affairs committee  I've had no services, no access to services, for the trauma experienced when the class action lawsuit opened Pandora's box for me. I have been trying with Veterans Affairs over a long time.... I don't know what to say. I have no influence. I've tried everything I could, and they'll say....

Veterans Affairs committee  I contacted the ombudsman's office. It was the ombudsman's office who shared with me the new policy that didn't mention clinical psychologists. They said they weren't able to change it. It wasn't within the ombudsman's purview. It's for Veterans Affairs to do that. If you do nothing else but recommend that the reports of clinical psychologists, who are Ph.D. experts in the field, at least be included for female sexual interest disorder and issues related to female sexual trauma, then that would make a difference.

Veterans Affairs committee  The Minister of Defence has committed to following all the recommendations of Justice Arbour's report, but it's a bigger issue. They've taken it out of the military justice system for assaults. Those sent to the civilian police forces...they don't have the capacity to deal with it.

Veterans Affairs committee  I think.... Am I breaking up, or do you hear me? Can you hear me clearly?

Veterans Affairs committee  I'm sorry. I lost my train of thought. It can be difficult to focus sometimes. You were asking again about the cultural change and what was necessary.

Veterans Affairs committee  First, I want to acknowledge and to recognize that was probably one of the most heartfelt acknowledgements of service, so thank you, Mr. Desjarlais. That meant a lot to me. I've been a client of Veterans Affairs for 11 years after an Afghanistan injury, so I've had a lot of dealings with them.

Veterans Affairs committee  If you're asking me, I wouldn't say I could point to any specific physical issue I have due to a lack of equipment and gear, but I will echo Master Corporal Wojcichowsky's comments that in all the time I was in, they never made progress. The straps wouldn't fit on my shoulders. The flak vests don't fit properly.

Veterans Affairs committee  Moving forward, I've thought a lot about it, because I think this crisis is an opportunity to move forward in a better way. That's the million-dollar question. We're talking about cultural change. I'm going to be the honorary Lieutenant-Colonel for a reserve unit, and I was at a meeting of all uniformed members recently.

Veterans Affairs committee  You can't make love and war at the same time, and I think as Canadians we all have to take responsibility for changing the culture.

Veterans Affairs committee  I certainly haven't experienced any difference. In theatre, you're around tour operations. You're very busy. However, having said that, we have a disgraced general, Dan Ménard, who was well known in the Van Doos for his sexual predatory nature. He was convicted when he was home on leave and has been dishonourably discharged.

Veterans Affairs committee  Okay. How is that audio? Is that clear?

Veterans Affairs committee  You're breaking up in the audio, so I'm not hearing all your words, but my point was that I'm interested in answering any questions you might have with the objective of using this crisis in leadership as an opportunity, because I really feel that when men and women work together, we have complementary skills.

Veterans Affairs committee  Thank you. Thank you all. Thank you to the committee for your interest in this issue and for giving me an opportunity to express myself. Like Kathleen, I also sometimes feel baffled that we're still talking about this topic, but when I reflect on it, I'm not surprised. Like Kathleen, I put on the uniform at 14 and took it off at 50, when I was medically released following an injury in Afghanistan.