Mr. Chair, let me just comment on the Leave Nobody Behind campaign and the homelessness issue. That's really the tip of the iceberg. The Leave Nobody Behind campaign was originally intended as an economy of effort initiative that I would dovetail with my outreach across the country to try to identify the scope of the homeless problem, as a first step. But there are other people in the veterans' community who are slipping through the cracks, who should be addressed. I dare say, without a study to refute my suspicions and observations, it's a direct result of people serving in the military and in the RCMP. There are veterans who are incarcerated. We don't know how many or why. There are spouses who are being left behind by the system. It's another part of this Leave Nobody Behind campaign. For example, wives have approached me who have lived with significant others for years who are suffering from PTSD. In one case I know of, the veteran ended up committing suicide. That spouse is left to fend for herself, and her plight is a direct result, I would say, of service to our country.
There's also the VIP, which the members were briefed on.
Regarding the homeless, the first step would be to actually engage with the professionals who work in the homeless community. This is what I've been watching for; this is what I've been asking. As a first step, engage with the police forces across the country. These people interact with homeless veterans very often, and I have been led to believe by the police that there's a bit of an affinity between uniformed members. Once the homeless person realizes they're not being arrested and thrown in jail, they actually develop a relationship with the police force. So first is to reach out to the police forces across the country. Put Veterans Affairs posters where the homeless congregate, in the shelters. They're nonexistent today. It's a very simple measure.
Without exception, in every homeless shelter where I have spoken to staff, from directors right on down to people in the front lines, they're craving information about programs that Veterans Affairs might be able to provide to homeless veterans. Education sessions--an integration of the professional in the veterans' community with the professionals in these homeless shelters. The important thing is to understand that the needs of a homeless veteran are different from the average veteran. That's the nature of their being homeless.
Perhaps I could use a metaphor. I have a very good friend who worked for me in Afghanistan, who lost two legs--a double amputee. And the department has some tremendous systems to assist our physically wounded individuals, the double amputees. They're all there. So if I could use this as an analogy for the homeless, it's like saying to a double amputee, “We have all these in-home programs that you can use to make your life better. We'll provide you with home cleaning, cooking. We'll provide you with in-home physiotherapy. We'll provide you with in-home occupational therapy and in-home medical assistance.” Then the double amputee says, “Can I have a ramp or a lift to get into my house?”, and they say, “Once you get in there we'll look after you.” That's the problem with the homeless veteran. They don't have access. They live in a different world from the general population of veterans. So it's reaching out to that community and establishing a personal touch.