One of the differences lies with the responsibilities. As public servants, we are responsible for the government's programs and procedures. I believe that we also have a responsibility to make suggestions to the minister.
On the other hand, the ombudsman can be critical of systemic issues. If you look at some of the items the ombudsman has been involved with, which are clearly in his mandate, it's to say yes, the department is doing everything in its regulations and the department is following the law, but he as the ombudsman feels that in some cases it isn't having the right outcome for veterans, or more could be done.
It's our responsibility in the department to ensure we do everything we can for veterans within the law and within the regulations, whereas the ombudsman is a step removed from that. Based on the files the ombudsman sees, he might say, as he did if you look at the paper he wrote on funerals and burials, that we are following the legislation. He has the view that the legislation should be expanded, and I think that's part of his role, to make those suggestions.