The lump-sum payment was probably established in 2004. At that time, we had already begun to prepare the new program, which was finally presented and adopted in 2005.
In 2004, when we compared the lump-sum payments to those awarded by civil courts, the department felt that the lump-sum payment was adequate. Today, when you look at what civil courts are giving, you can see that the lump-sum payment is no longer adequate.
Also, when you look at what the Department of Veterans Affairs is providing, it could be suggested that the amounts granted by the workers' compensation boards are much smaller. However, what the Department of Veterans Affairs may not tell you is that the workers' compensation boards, out of necessity, have ruled that the lump-sum payment should not be more than 10% of the total amount that will be paid for an individual during a period of time, and that, in addition, there will be a monthly payment. So, in that sense, you are comparing apples and oranges.
So you have to look at the evidence: today, civil court decisions award much higher amounts than those provided under the Veterans Charter. There is one way that we could resolve this problem and that would be to give an annual cost of living adjustment. We could simply give this amount to people eligible for the lump-sum payment, we could give them an adjustment for the cost of living.
If we decide that we need to improve the new Veterans Charter, it is important to remember that these improvements should be retroactive. They should cover all of the people who receive benefits under the new Veterans Charter.
I did not mention family support, which is lacking, despite the best intentions of the people who implemented the new Veterans Charter. In order to have access to care, the veteran must first of all make an application and have it approved. So, in order for families to have access, the veteran must make an application and the application must be approved.
According to the act, in order for families to receive care, they have to go through provincial authorities. Some have even suggested—and this may be the only adequate solution—that military families that are subject to the provisions of the Canadian Health Act be deemed to be exceptions.