Evidence of meeting #84 for National Defence in the 41st Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was families.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Cpl Glen Kirkland
No. I've come to terms with things. I've gone through all the programs I was supposed to go through. At a certain point, you just have to say, okay, this happened to me, but I’m not going to let it be the defining moment of Glen Kirkland.
Conservative
Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON
In your estimation, what should have happened from the time you were released from the Role hospital? Describe what the military should have done for you from that point on.
We're going to do a report. We're going to come forward with recommendations, and we really need to hear what you have to say on this.
Conservative
Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON
This isn't policy. In your personal experience, what would you expect to have happened to you?
Cpl Glen Kirkland
Honestly, going back to Shilo after this...I don't really feel comfortable answering that.
Conservative
Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON
Should you have gone to the hospital in Lahr as opposed to being sent home? You don't know. Okay.
Was nobody assigned specifically to you once you were injured? It's my understanding that's the case now. If somebody is severely injured, someone is assigned to them, and they're with them from the point they get to Lahr, or wherever, until they're at JPSU.
Conservative
Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON
That did not happen.
In recommendations that we can put forward, simple things that you experienced that should be done better, could you give us some ideas?
Cpl Glen Kirkland
I'll say it, but...the hospital can't work on the rank structure. It just doesn't work.
When I was told to take this “President's Choice” insulin, that hurt. That was a very painful experience. It's not like you're taking a pill. You're not taking President's Choice Flintstones vitamins. You're injecting a chemical into your bloodstream. When I said, no, I'm not going to take this stuff, I was very calm, cool, and collected about it. I just said, “No, ma'am. That's not what was prescribed to me.”
I had a sergeant pull me aside, so I was expecting this sergeant to explain to me the proper procedure to get my insulin. Just another battleground, right? Instead, he pulled me into an office and just chewed me out, because apparently I missed a “ma'am” or a “sir” or something in there.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
I'm sorry, but the question time has expired. We're going to have to move on.
Corporal Kirkland, you're going to need your interpretation device.
NDP
Jean-François Larose NDP Repentigny, QC
I'll be sharing my time with Christine after this, if there is any time left.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Corporal Kirkland, for being here.
Hearing you, I was ashamed and angry at the same time. We're doing a study right now and we are having so many witnesses come here, and everything seems to be so positive that we could nearly sing and dance. Having witnesses like you here and hearing everything you've gone through puts a light on reality.
I have to say to you and many in the military that, being part of an institution, I think you deserve an apology. You shouldn't go through what you are going through at all. It's absolutely shameful, really.
I read in the Winnipeg Free Press that you are part of the casualty support unit. With everything you've gone through, you still find the courage and the conviction to help other members get through what they're going through. They would want to see you as being unique in what you're going through, but from the witnesses we had on Monday, the feeling we have is that there are many others.
Can you tell us a little about how many others you have talked to, and about conversations you have had, indirectly or directly, with others who are going through this hell?
Cpl Glen Kirkland
I could go on at great length. People use me as a confidant all the time; I'm a well-respected member of the community. But I can't speak on their behalf. I have to mind my arcs or else I'm going to face disciplinary action.
NDP
Jean-François Larose NDP Repentigny, QC
Okay, but we can say with certainty that you're not the only one going through all this.
Cpl Glen Kirkland
I can definitely say that. There have been guys released already who are suffering. There's an unbelievable amount of suffering that these people have to go through. It's really shameful.
NDP
Jean-François Larose NDP Repentigny, QC
We had as witnesses on Monday family members defending their children. As you said, it is an excellent question. I have a child myself. Do we want to see our children going into National Defence? My answer to that right now is absolutely not.
There is a lack of communication, definitely. Without being specific, do you feel that we're going in a positive direction? I know you have your restrictions, but I always ask this question: Do you see the light at the end of the tunnel right now?
Cpl Glen Kirkland
The good news is, we're going to have a lot fewer casualties now that we're pulling out of Afghanistan. But I do know this isn't going to be the last conflict we're in.
We've taken so many steps back, from the pension act to the New Veterans Charter. We have to go back to that; there is no question about it. There has to be a better way to cut money than off the backs of wounded soldiers. There has to be.
I've done eight years of service and I could be released tomorrow—and I may be after this—and I would get nothing for that many years of service.
Liberal
John McKay Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood, ON
Yes, I do have a point of order.
If I may, Chair, I would prefer to let our normal questioning run out, but I don't want you to bring down the hammer before I quote a section from O'Brien and Bosc, because this is a bit of unprecedented territory for our committee. I want to draw members' attention to that section.
I'll just leave it at that, but we may want to frame it in terms of a motion.
Conservative
NDP
Christine Moore NDP Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
You said earlier that you had a fiancée when your accident happened.
Was she provided with any assistance and advice, so that she could deal with the situation and help you?
Cpl Glen Kirkland
It's kind of a bad example. She kind of moved on when I was still overseas, so when I came back she was just there long enough to take my money.