Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee.
It's a pleasure to be with you this morning to discuss the veterans bill of rights, and other issues, I'm sure.
I would like to actually thank the committee for the good work you have done--all members on all sides--because there is no question that you have done good work and will continue to do good work. We take your work very seriously.
Before I get into my formal remarks, I want to introduce Suzanne Tining, who was appointed deputy minister less than a month ago, actually on January 22.
Suzanne, thank you for being here this morning. I know you will have remarks as well.
Prior to Suzanne's appointment, she was the associate deputy minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and the executive director and deputy head of the office of Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada.
I would also like to thank Verna Bruce, who is with us this morning, for her sound and steady leadership during the past few months. The Prime Minister acknowledged that on the day Suzanne was appointed. The Prime Minister thanked Verna on behalf of the Government of Canada. Verna will continue in her role as associate deputy minister, of course.
As you well know, it is pretty difficult to talk about deputy ministers and associate deputy ministers without thanking Jack Stagg for his tremendous contribution to veterans affairs. He was our former deputy who passed away last summer. I know that I speak on behalf of all members of the committee in thanking Jack Stagg for his commitment to veterans and our country.
Early on in my tenure as Minister of Veterans Affairs--I guess on the first day--I was given some pretty sound advice by the Prime Minister and those who coach new ministers, namely, that I should listen very carefully to Jack Stagg because he would serve me well, he would serve the Government of Canada well, and he would serve our veterans well, and that I would have an opportunity, knowing that Jack's days were probably limited in terms of being with us, to learn from the best. I thank Jack Stagg and I thank his wife, Bonnie, and family. That was acknowledged in the House of Commons by Peter Stoffer as well. I just want to put that on the record, Mr. Chairman.
At this point I'll turn it over to Suzanne, our new deputy minister, so that she can have a chance to put a few comments on the record and introduce herself to the committee, with your agreement, Mr. Chairman.