Mr. Chair, I don't think any of us are in disagreement that we want what's best for our veterans. But I think we'd all agree that we don't want to mislead them into believing they're getting something that they're not. As a mission statement, I think it's admirable, whatever words or version you choose, but it really doesn't reach the standard of rights.
For us to continue this discussion, I, for one, would like to know from the government members if they're prepared to include rights--for instance, to have a decision reached within six months or go to court. They have to give a right to something in order for this to be appropriately named a bill of rights.
If I might, in the spirit of trying to advance the discussion a little bit, at a minimum, perhaps, we could include the subheading “Veterans Affairs Service Principles” on this bill of rights. Then nobody would be misled into believing it's something that it isn't.