Certainly. There are six organizations represented there and they all agree that the 16 recommendations put forth were independent. I was part of the committee, I'm a veteran, I've been through all the issues myself, and let me tell you, it was independent. VAC was there as support. They didn't get involved and tell us what to do or anything like that. In fact, that's why we argued that the recommendations were all equally important. We didn't want to prioritize them.
Now, my view is not necessarily the same as Mr. Gray's. I am covered under the Pension Act, and I stated in my opening remarks that I'm also covered under the new Veterans Charter. That's my current condition. If it gets worse, I'm covered under the Pension Act. However, I just finished the rehab program under the new Veterans Charter, because as long as you have a service-related need, you still can get coverage. If you have a new disability that you haven't already applied for, you can apply under the new Veterans Charter as a veteran, post the new Veterans Charter.
So I don't necessarily agree with the comments Mr. Gray is making directly in relation to their being two separate... There certainly are two separate legislations, but Mr. Gray and I, as veterans, certainly can apply for services if we have a service-related need. That's the way the legislation reads. You have your pension under the Pension Act. That's one thing. But if you have a new injury, you can apply under the new Veterans Charter.
I agree with you in that I don't think the charter is going to be trashed. The longest journey begins with the first step and I think it's long overdue. You know, we have all those arguments out there, but I truly believe that improvement will come for veterans and their families, because the big part that was missing with the Pension Act was families. We have families covered off now and there are a lot more benefits there. There's a lot of improvement.
I have some recommendations around the lump sum issue and how to improve that. They're in the report. The permanent impairment allowance is a monthly allowance. What we're suggesting in the report is that the prerequisites be changed. Right now, a permanent impairment... I have a permanent impairment. I have a chronic condition. Every veteran who gets a disability pension must have a chronic condition. The ability to get qualified for it is the problem. If you get the permanent impairment allowance, it's a monthly annuity, tax-free, just like it was under the old Pension Act.
That's what we're working under now in my organization, which is the Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association. I'm representing that organization here today. That's who I'm speaking on behalf of and we do support the charter. We support the recommendations. That's what we said at the committee.
Individuals have the right... I have my own personal views on some other issues. I'm not necessarily always in line because of my own personal issues, but I'm striving for the better good at the moment here to make sure we move these things forward.
That's the long answer, I think.