First, I don't know how widespread the problem is. I am not surprised to hear it, because it is a problem in our health care system that we're underresourced in a number of areas. That's the system.
You understand that Veterans Affairs really is a gap filler. They are not the first line of services. They build on what is available through our provincial health care systems. Because we run into shortages in those systems, veterans are going to run into them.
I have to say that we're so new at recognizing PTSD as a problem and its extent. If you go back and look at the history of the various wars, right back to the Civil War, there is documentation of PTSD, but it was never called that. It was never recognized in terms of how serious or long-standing it was, how much it affected people over a very long period of time, or just how prevalent it was.
We have not ramped up systems sufficiently to deal with the extent.... I know it's a high priority for veterans at Ste. Anne's, and they are developing and testing programs to be put in place across the country.
I regret that's the case, but I'm not surprised at hearing it.
I have to say that our council has recognized it. We haven't dealt with it to any great extent because we're dealing with Second World War and Korean War veterans.