Will you give me an opportunity to speak? I cannot speak while I'm listening.
A good model would be one where the ombudsman could be involved in administrative decisions regarding the various health programs provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs. We are not sure that an ombudsman could play a role in the area of disability pensions or compensation because that would require an amendment to the act. If that were the model chosen and if the law had to be revised, we would certainly be flexible, but we would ask to be consulted in the drafting of the legislation.
What I am trying to say is that we are very flexible, regardless of the model, and that we will work with Veterans Affairs Canada and other veterans organizations to try to find a model that everyone finds acceptable. I assume your committee would want to be consulted about the model as well.
I must add that I don't think it's fair to describe the Legion as a social club, in view of the advocacy that we do
I apologize, but I don't know exactly how to say that in French.
The Legion's benefits to society may be attributable to the fact that we are a social club, but I think that isn't an accurate description of the Legion, if that is all that is said.