Government Operations Committee on Sept. 22nd, 2026

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

It has sufficient funds.

[Mitch Freeman]

The current veterans emergency fund is capable of meeting the demand.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

Mr. Freeman, in budget 2024, the government named multiple National Defence properties as candidates for housing. Some of these properties are working or former armouries, including the armouries in Amherst, Nova Scotia; Windsor, Ontario; and Vernon, British Columbia.

Has Veterans Affairs conducted any analysis on whether a former military drill facility is a psychologically appropriate environment for veterans living with operational stress injuries or PTSD?

[Mitch Freeman]

That's a very important question. I would offer two thoughts on this.

The first is a conversation with our colleagues at the Canadian Armed Forces on what those properties were or have been used for.

The second is a conversation with experts in the field around veteran homelessness and communities. I believe the committee has several experts on the invitee list. I would suggest that this question be put forward to them.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

Are you aware of any analysis done on that?

[Mitch Freeman]

Certainly we are in contact with organizations, particularly with Public Services and Procurement Canada, with regard to assets. From a Veterans Affairs Canada point of view, we do not have assets in that regard.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

Have you ever asked for an analysis on that? As a department lead, have you ever had a conversation around that?

[Mitch Freeman]

I look forward to the outcome of this committee study after conversations with all the witnesses on what recommendations may come forward.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Thank you, Mr. Mazier.

Ms. Rochefort, welcome back.

[Pauline Rochefort, Liberal, Nipissing—Timiskaming, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I want to start by saying that I found this particular report on the use and underuse of surplus lands to be excellent. The analysts have done a very good job with this report. Thank you for that.

Thank you for the opportunity this morning to talk about this important issue. I'm interested in understanding where the opportunities are. The report that was prepared highlights the Canada public land bank. It highlights the Canada Lands portfolio and the opportunities that exist with properties that have been identified as suitable for housing.

I am wondering if there are any that you have assessed at this point that are suitable for veterans housing or services. I'm also interested in understanding the stage of the property decision process at which veterans organizations and housing providers can propose such a use.

[Mitch Freeman]

I wish I were in a position to answer on the detailed process around unused land and how that works, but those questions would be best suited to our colleagues at Public Services and Procurement Canada, who look after the evolution and devolution of federal assets and how different organizations are involved in that.

What I can say, though, is that any organization that comes forward to Veterans Affairs Canada looking to inquire about.... We certainly put them in contact with those types of organizations to determine how that land can best be used from a veterans point of view.

[Pauline Rochefort, Liberal, Nipissing—Timiskaming, ON]

Is there interaction between the two departments on some of these issues as they come forward? Would you recommend and propose anything on behalf of veterans?

[Mitch Freeman]

As I noted in my opening remarks, we are very happy to contribute the expertise we have on behalf of veterans. We understand the transition process. My colleague Nathalie can speak to that as we progress.

The transition process and the needs of veterans are unique compared to those of the typical Canadian living in Canada. We're happy to share our research and our work with regard to those needs with our colleagues at Public Services and Procurement Canada, the CAF, the DND, etc.

[Pauline Rochefort, Liberal, Nipissing—Timiskaming, ON]

Do they ever ask for your expertise on these matters?

[Mitch Freeman]

The last interaction we had with PSPC was some months ago, and it was an inquiry—I suspect in support of this conversation—about the type of lands Veterans Affairs Canada had in this regard. Our response was that we don't have any land from a federal point of view. We are not the owner of federal assets. PSPC is the owner; PSPC is the custodian of land.

[Pauline Rochefort, Liberal, Nipissing—Timiskaming, ON]

Would you ever provide advice on the requirements for veterans in terms of housing?

[Mitch Freeman]

We certainly would be happy to provide our expertise and best practices with regard to what we know about the veteran community.

Census 2021 highlights 461,000 veterans living in Canada. We have information around the split between male and female. We have an indication of the indigenous component of veterans, who would have a conversation of their own for unique needs.

We'd be happy to share and consult, as required, to support the committee's study.

[Pauline Rochefort, Liberal, Nipissing—Timiskaming, ON]

Have you looked at the Amherst property, which has been proposed for a project for veterans housing and veterans services by my colleague MP Hirtle? Has this come across your desk?

[Mitch Freeman]

Thank you so much.

We are quite aware of the property in Amherst, and we are working with some of the community organizations to understand their needs. We have helped them and directed them as appropriate to Build Canada Homes, Canada Lands, etc.

[Pauline Rochefort, Liberal, Nipissing—Timiskaming, ON]

You do collect input from communities and from veterans. You do ensure that this information is passed on to the appropriate bodies within government. Is that correct?

[Mitch Freeman]

Absolutely.

On that question, one role that Veterans Affairs Canada has is as a convener, if you will, on veterans issues. Of course, we have a case management process in which we talk to and deal with complex and high-risk veterans—the “high touch” folks—in that regard. We also have research on the census and the Canadian veteran health survey. We're happy to share, and we do share, that information with our colleagues at PSPC; CAF; DND; Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada; and others to support the veteran conversation.

[Pauline Rochefort, Liberal, Nipissing—Timiskaming, ON]

Once information has been passed on, how do you follow up with other government departments on these issues?

[Mitch Freeman]

That's a great question.

The integration among the departments at the federal level is very collaborative in nature. We certainly participate in all kinds of conversations, steering committees, etc. For example, between the Canadian Armed Forces and us, we have a very formal structure that allows us to come together on a regular basis, establish priorities for the two departments with respect to veterans and then follow through with oversight on those.

[Pauline Rochefort, Liberal, Nipissing—Timiskaming, ON]

As a final question, in terms of Amherst, what would be your role in following up with the various government departments with whom you've passed on the information? How would you ensure...?

As well, when we seek feedback from the public and from veterans, do we return to them? In other words, who closes the loop or—in whichever way we view communication—the triangle?

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Could you give a brief answer, please?