National Defence Committee on April 1st, 2014

[Col Gerry Blais]

Absolutely.

The suite of programs is quite complex. There are a number of them in both the armed forces and Veterans Affairs. We're working very, very hard to have the programs mirror each other as much as possible while the person's in service so that as they do transition over it's basically the same.

But there will be differences. While you're in the armed forces, you're in receipt of your salary, so some of the long-term disability benefits, etc., you won't receive while in service. As you transition out, that's where some of these benefits kick in.

Each case has to be looked at on its own merits as to whether the injury is service-related, because Veterans Affairs, of course, only compensates for injuries that are related to military service. So which path? Are they then better off with SISIP Financial Services and the insurance benefits through SISIP? For those who have non-service-related injuries, that would be their gateway.

Each case requires individual analysis and work with the individual and the entire team in order to make sure we're providing them with what's best for their individual circumstances.

[John Williamson, Conservative, New Brunswick Southwest, NB]

Just for my own information, what would be an example of a non-service-related injury?

[Col Gerry Blais]

When I'm at home playing basketball in the driveway on a Saturday night, I break my ankle.

[John Williamson, Conservative, New Brunswick Southwest, NB]

Okay. Fair enough.

I don't know if it's in your field of knowledge or expertise, but could you touch on some of the Veterans Affairs benefits? The stories often end with no CAF pension benefits, and on to the next story, but often there is that transition and suite of programs available. Could you touch on some of the highlights?

For example, if someone doesn't qualify for a pension because, as Mr. Harris was saying, they were discharged for medical reasons, would they be eligible for some sort of pension or long-term disability payment until the end of their days? What are we talking about here?

[Col Gerry Blais]

There are long-term disability payments. There is a disability award, which is what used to be the Veterans Affairs...under the old Pension Act. A person received a pension; they now receive a lump sum award. That sum is provided.

Yes, there are a number of other programs with Veterans Affairs. It depends on your situation and how seriously you're injured. But as the seriousness of the injury is compounded, the benefits provided are more significant.

[John Williamson, Conservative, New Brunswick Southwest, NB]

Right.

I just want to make sure I understand this correctly. You mentioned that one of the controversies has been actually that the old system provided a pension and the new system provides a lump sum. But in fact, even under the new Veterans Charter, there continues to be long-term payments. I don't think we call them pensions, but if, for example, someone loses a limb....

Could you talk about that a little bit? Maybe I'm incorrect, but I'd appreciate hearing your perspective.

[Col Gerry Blais]

It's not in my lane, per se. That's a Veterans Affairs question.

[John Williamson, Conservative, New Brunswick Southwest, NB]

Okay.

[Col Gerry Blais]

But I can tell you that there are programs there that provide compensation as a person moves along. It's not limited to just the disability right.

[John Williamson, Conservative, New Brunswick Southwest, NB]

Thank you very much.

[The Chair, Conservative, Peter Kent]

Thank you, Mr. Williamson.

Ms. Michaud, please.

[Élaine Michaud, NDP, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

First, thank you for your presentation, Col Blais.

Last week, we heard that, in Afghanistan, our soldiers unfortunately had no access to psychological assistance services in French when they were there. They had to depend on services provided by the Americans. Of course, the situation is different back in Canada when troops are not deployed. Be that as it may, I believe that we must make sure that psychological services are available in the soldiers' mother tongue. I am specifically thinking about places like Petawawa and Gagetown, where it is more difficult.

Could you tell me what steps are being taken to make sure that francophones, mainly— given that they are generally the ones dealing with this problem—have access to psychological assistance services in their own language, at least on Canadian soil?

[Col Gerry Blais]

As the chair indicated, the chief of the Canadian Forces health services group will be here next week. He will be able to answer that question. However, I can tell you, that, in my unit, we make sure that people everywhere have access to services in both languages.

[Élaine Michaud, NDP, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Is that a function of the profile of the volunteers who are chosen? How can you give that assurance? I do not know how the schedule of volunteers and staff is arranged, but are you guaranteeing that at least one bilingual person will be available to people at all times? How can you guarantee that service?

[Col Gerry Blais]

The profile of all the service providers includes a language profile that has to be observed. We make sure that bilingual staff is ready to respond in each of our units, because we are providing services.

[Élaine Michaud, NDP, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Which level is required?

[Col Gerry Blais]

That depends on the position and the region.

[Élaine Michaud, NDP, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Which level of bilingualism do you require from the volunteers who are in direct contact with those receiving the services?

[Col Gerry Blais]

We do not require that from volunteers, because we do not have the right to do so.

[Élaine Michaud, NDP, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

I see.

[Col Gerry Blais]

We are very happy to accept all the volunteers who come forward, but we make an effort to ensure that the volunteers are absolutely bilingual.

[Élaine Michaud, NDP, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

So you are not in a position to guarantee bilingual service since you are not able to force bilingual volunteers to come forward. As you said, you cannot require bilingualism because these are volunteers. As I understand it, then, it is possible that no one may be on site to respond to francophones asking for your unit's services in French.

[Col Gerry Blais]

Not at all, because volunteers are only one part of the program. In the Joint Personnel Support Unit, we provide services in both languages. If a person is comfortable with a volunteer speaking his second language, and the person is ready to go that way, that's great. If not, the person will go with someone from the unit who can meet his needs in his official language.

[Élaine Michaud, NDP, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

My understanding is that the person might not be a volunteer. It might be an employee, if no volunteers are available to assist the person in French.

[Col Gerry Blais]

Yes, most volunteers just provide extra support for the program. We desperately need them to meet the demand. That being said, the first point of service comes from public service employees. So we make sure the service is provided in both official languages.