Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Ms. Matteau, I want to thank your son for his dedication and sacrifice to our country. I want to thank you and your family for the dedication and sacrifice that you've also made to our country.
I agree with some of what you're saying. These are not individuals who simply need to be retrained because their jobs are no longer functions of society. These are individuals who had expectations and career expectations. Somebody such as your son would have expected to continue to move forward throughout the ranks at a certain general level, and that a certain standard of living would be maintained if they stayed in the forces. There are certainly some changes that need to be made. The charter is a living charter, and that's why we're looking at some of the changes.
I'm hesitant to say there shouldn't be any lump sum. I think there needs to be a blend. Some programs need to be put out, and we need to take a serious look at all of this to find the right solution. I have many veterans in my area who have come back from Afghanistan injured, and at least some initial lump sum is very helpful in getting them started in their lives. But there definitely needs to be another look--whether it's monthly, or who knows.
But there's something I want to address with you, because it's very concerning. You talked about them being rejected by those they trusted, abandoned by the system, and having to fight again and again for their lump sum payments. It is very troubling that we would have men and women coming back from theatres of war after risking their lives for our country, only to feel rejected by the bureaucracy--that's what we're talking about here--in which they were fighting, in some cases.
I have two questions for you. First, do you have any solutions or ideas for how we can better serve our men and women coming back from a war with the bureaucracy? Are there ways you have seen, in going through the system, that we can streamline the system better?
The second question is a personal one from me on PTSD. Your son is very fortunate that he was diagnosed while still in DND. Those members who aren't diagnosed for five, six, or seven years face a real uphill battle in trying to access even some of the basic entitlements from the Government of Canada. So do you have any suggestions for us or ideas on how we could better serve our veterans as they come over?