Mr. Chair, to an extent I addressed that in the discussion of the mandate earlier, in that I consider the absence of specific direction or guidance to be an opportunity and not a constraint.
In terms of latitude, I see all sorts of ways that I can value-add in ways that are more than just between the lines, but right off the page of the mandate as written.
I may come across as talking tough, but I want to keep that bit of a rough edge. The people who work in the bureaucracy on behalf of Veterans Affairs Canada I detect are genuinely concerned about the welfare of the veterans, and it's very easy, I think, to get drawn into their paradigm. It's my intention, as much as possible, to remain focused on the plight of the veterans and to allow my staff to work the mechanisms of government, so that I don't get drawn into a set paradigm and so that I can expand the latitude within the legal limits.
The major restriction in the mandate as drafted is that I have to operate within the law. The decision-making process is under legislation and is in fact law, so the short answer is no, at this point in time, I don't feel any restriction on my latitude.