Government Operations Committee on March 10th, 2026

[Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, Bloc, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

I don't have much time, but I'd like to hear your summary in the second round.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

We are past the time.

[Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, Bloc, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

We'll be able to get to it in the next round.

Mr. Richards.

[Blake Richards, Conservative, Airdrie—Cochrane, AB]

I'll probably be able to help, because I had a question along a similar line. Maybe we'll be able to get the information drawn out.

We're hearing the idea that we could see veterans waiting up to five years to be able to get access to services, pensions and things they're entitled to. I heard a Liberal member on the other side try to characterize that this wasn't a cut to services to veterans, but when you deny someone something for five years, that affects the services to veterans. There's zero doubt about it. You said it as well.

You've laid out a few of the ideas of what can happen—not being able to pay bills or delaying medical treatments—but what does that ultimately mean? That can end up being the difference between a veteran becoming homeless or not. That can mean the difference between a veteran starting to go down a path that ends with addictions or mental health challenges, or leads to divorce from their spouse. It can actually mean the difference between life and death in some cases, because, as you can imagine, after all of that, someone could become suicidal. These are the kinds of results that denying veterans through delays of up to five years can have.

I wanted to give you a chance to expand on that a bit further. Would you agree with that assessment? What do you see? Talking to fellow members of your union, are these the kinds of results they see when veterans are waiting up to five years for these kinds of services?

[Toufic El-Daher]

I will repeat what I said. Right now, with the resources available, wait times can stretch up to three years. If 44% of term positions are cut, there's no doubt that wait times will go up 40% to 50%, at a minimum. That's why I mentioned five years.

That's one of our concerns, because as Veterans Affairs Canada employees, we are at the mercy of government policies and decisions. We also depend on budgetary allocations to the department, and that's what we work with. There will be repercussions.

This will have a knock-on effect on members and all sectors of Veterans Affairs Canada, including operations in regions, where our case managers look after veterans, and at the bureau of pensions advocates, where employees will suffer from burnout.

If 44% of term positions are eliminated, there will be only 56% of the workforce to process 52,000 active cases. Staff will definitely burn out and we'll have a crisis.

I understand that concern because we don't have any power, beyond appearing before you today to seek your help to obtain the $9.5 million for veterans. I'm doing this for our members and for the 96 employees. Nevertheless, I'm being very sincere when I say that the veterans who fought for us are top of mind. Can we show them some appreciation? That's why I'm here today.

When it comes down to it, we're not asking for a lot.

[Blake Richards, Conservative, Airdrie—Cochrane, AB]

I couldn't have said it better.

That is what this is about. It's about veterans. It's about making sure they get what they deserve. It's also for serving this country and for putting their lives and limbs on the line for this country. The least we can do is make sure they get the services they deserve. I appreciate that being the basis for your concerns, as well.

You mentioned earlier that not only did the minister not consult with you before this announcement, but she failed to do so despite having the opportunity when you met with her just before it was made. Even senior officials in the department didn't consult with you. You mentioned having reached out to express your grave concerns about these cuts.

What has been the response? Has the minister met with you since the cuts were announced? Has anyone expressed any hesitation about the announcement they made? What's been the result of your efforts there?

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

I apologize. We require a brief answer, please.

[Toufic El-Daher]

No. Unfortunately, the minister has not met with me, and I've not had the opportunity to meet with the new deputy minister, but we'll be putting in a request. I've not met with senior management. I can say more on that later if you wish. I've heard that things are happening at the department, but unfortunately, I've not had any contact with senior management so far.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Thank you.

Next, we have Ms. Sudds, please.

[Jenna Sudds, Liberal, Kanata, ON]

Thank you very much, and thank you for joining us here today.

Maybe taking one step back, can you explain for us, or clarify, the function and the placement of the Bureau of Pensions Advocates within Veterans Affairs Canada?

[Toufic El-Daher]

When a veteran makes an initial benefit claim and the claim is denied, the bureau of pensions advocates helps the veteran to prepare a file to appeal the decision. I'm referring to disability benefit claims.

Lawyers and support staff meet with veterans. It's a very long process. They prepare the case and appeal the decision before the Veterans Review and Appeal Board. They help veterans to appeal decisions. It's similar to meeting with a lawyer so they can argue your case, but the service is impartial and free of charge for veterans.

[Jenna Sudds, Liberal, Kanata, ON]

That's excellent, thank you.

I just wanted to clarify that it's a free service. It's obviously much appreciated by veterans that it's housed within Veterans Affairs Canada. It is one of many services that are provided.

I noted as well that in budget 2025, as was mentioned by a colleague, there are some changes to the reimbursement program regarding the medical cannabis rate. I also noted that there is nearly a $185-million investment over four years in Veterans Affairs Canada to stabilize processing capacity and modernize information technology infrastructure.

Can you speak to the impact of those investments and the service that the Bureau of Pensions Advocates provides?

[Toufic El-Daher]

Thank you very much for that question, Ms. Sudds.

That was one of the questions I raised with the acting deputy minister the last time we met. I asked her if the $9.5 million could come from the $184 million over four years the government had allocated to Veterans Affairs Canada. She informed me that this budget was meant for disability benefits, not for the bureau of pensions advocates. That's the first thing I asked her.

Unfortunately, I was told that the $184 million allocated to Veterans Affairs Canada over four years could not be used for the bureau of pensions advocates. I believe they didn't even seek the opinion of Treasury Board or the government. It was an instant response. I wondered whether they had checked with the government to see whether they really weren't allowed to use some of these funds. I'm telling you very honestly what I was told.

[Jenna Sudds, Liberal, Kanata, ON]

Thank you very much for that.

I have one last question, as time goes quickly here.

I'm reflecting on the service that the Bureau of Pensions Advocates provides. Do other countries have a similar service? Are they facing similar challenges to ours?

[Toufic El-Daher]

I can't speak to the situation in other countries. I can only speak to what happens in Canada.

[Jenna Sudds, Liberal, Kanata, ON]

Do you have counterparts in other countries who have a similar service?

[Toufic El-Daher]

To be honest with you, I've not checked.

[Jenna Sudds, Liberal, Kanata, ON]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Thank you.

Madame Gaudreau, go ahead please.

[Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, Bloc, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

I would like to get back to service delivery.

If your service, which is free and much appreciated, did not exist, what would be the outcome if a claim is made? What would be your success rate?

[Toufic El-Daher]

If the service weren't free, veterans would have to seek legal advice from lawyers. We know how costly that can be. I'm not sure we would have so many claims.

[Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, Bloc, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

If the claims were denied, veterans would not be able to exercise their rights.

[Toufic El-Daher]

They would not have the right to appeal.

[Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, Bloc, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

What is your current success rate when it comes to addressing inequalities and rejections?