Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you to the minister and Madam Tining for being here.
There are only three of us here who are original members of this committee from four years ago when the government chartered a new direction for the delivery of benefits and care for veterans and veterans' families. At that time the government added $740 million over five years to expand and improve benefits for veterans and their families.
In the year 2007 budget, $130 million was allocated. I just want to know whether this budget amount has met the cost of providing the expanded services to the veterans. Further to that, as we develop the Veterans Charter and identify more issues around the provisions of benefits and care for our veterans and their families, can you foresee that those added funds will cover those costs?