Mr. Chairman, since the minister is not in a hurry, we could have 20 to 25 minute rounds. Nevertheless, I will try to keep within the five minutes.
Mr. Minister, as you are no doubt aware, young people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder are dear to my heart. I think of them as my sons because they have the same age as my sons. Seeing these individuals come back from their mission in a sometimes pitiful state breaks my heart.
I urge you to lobby the Minister of National Defence in order to better prepare these young people for the stressful situations they will experience in theatre or on mission. If these young people were better prepared mentally, and not just trained in how to use their weapon or work out, I think they would come back in better shape. This comment comes from the bottom of my heart and it is my most sincere wish.
Now, let’s talk about the Veterans Independence Program, the VIP, or the PAAC in French. I think it’s a good idea to try to keep veterans at home as long as possible and provide them with home health care. Since the 1980s, Quebec has had a system, which we call the CLSCs, that specializes in providing care to sick seniors in the province. It might be worthwhile to try to reach agreements with the Government of Quebec, which has some expertise in this field. This could be a cost-saving measure and could help a greater number of your 7,500 veterans waiting for care. I am making this suggestion only in passing; I don’t necessarily want to get into a debate.
I am happy to learn that you will try to resolve the issue of appointments to the board. I don’t know whether we can call this a problem. In my opinion, it is, but my friend Victor will say that it isn’t. Appointments need to be made, and more of them. In my opinion what is important is that the veterans’ representative be a pro bono lawyer or paid differently by the department, or I don’t know what, because military personnel who appeal their decision feel a little ripped off, whether that’s true or not. They know that the judge is a government employee, that the defence lawyer is paid by the government and that the lawyer defending them is also paid by the government. You can’t bite the hand that feeds you. This is something that could be improved.
Those are the main points I wanted to raise. We have to be human; we have to love these people. Perhaps we need to better educate our young people and show them the misfortunes that these veterans experienced, are experiencing and will experience. Along with the Department of Veterans Affairs, we can try to ensure a better world, one at peace.
We need to change our education and advertising system so as to reach goals like that. It’s not just about money, it’s also about showing humanity and having your heart in the right place.
Those are my comments. Greg, let me reassure you that if you ever need a hand, I will be there, but not necessarily to go to war, however!