Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
This is Ken Boshcoff, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, and I'll ask my questions. Perhaps you can write them down and then respond back. They shouldn't take very long.
One, when we talk about contract beds, these are both chronic and long-term, I'm assuming, at an average of 2.6 years. Is this usually the final domicile for most of these veterans?
Two, would communities in northwestern Ontario, such as Fort Frances, Atikokan, Rainy River, and Emo, be eligible for provincial travel grants out of province to, say, Winnipeg, or does the VAC do this as part of their social integration of funding formula?
Three, we talked about a 20% vacancy growing in contract beds, and we're averaging 2,000 deaths a month. Does this budget transfer to the 81% increase in community beds? Would the number of veterans returning from Afghanistan and the Middle East and other theatres have a portion of this for both physical and mental treatment? Are there adequate dollars to address their new needs?
Four, we hear of many cases that make the news about people who are short weeks or months of eligibility. In view of the average age being 84, will there be any relaxation of these rules to accommodate some of these people who are short by days, weeks, or months?
Five, with regard to the uninsured costs, you identify that many provinces and territories may pay fully and others not. What is the spectrum--100% payment to zero, if that is the range?
Finally, I'd like a quick response on the timeframe for the veterans health services review. I thought that would be done already. When can we expect some finality on this?
Thank you.