Exactly.
Evidence of meeting #31 for Veterans Affairs in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was soldiers.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #31 for Veterans Affairs in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was soldiers.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Brian Storseth Conservative Westlock—St. Paul, AB
Good.
One of the things you talked about--and I understand this because I'm from a rural area--is that you live some distance from the base, the deployment. This would be a different question for somebody who has a wife and children on the base.
Where would you suggest is the best place for a family such as yours to get some kind of group therapy or education before or during your son's deployment? Would you react better to having somebody come to your home or to having a type of group therapy? Would you rather go to the MFRC or somewhere on the base with other military families? I think we both agreed today that there should be something there for families.
As an Individual
The most important thing, to my mind, would be to visit the base to learn some coping mechanisms and, at the same time, to meet with other parents.
Does that answer your question?
Conservative
Brian Storseth Conservative Westlock—St. Paul, AB
Absolutely. I realize that each case is different, but I would like your opinion on the record when it comes to that.
That's the end of my questions. Once again I want to say thank you very much for your commitment. We on all sides recognize that we need to work on this issue and ensure that it continues to improve for the young men and women who go over there. We need to make sure we're here for them as a government.
Thank you very much.
Bloc
Guy André Bloc Berthier—Maskinongé, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you for coming here, Ms. Lagimonière.
The YouTube video shows that after stepping on a landmine and losing part of his leg, he attempted suicide. Did anyone intervene? Did the inquiry find that a doctor or a specialist attempted to intervene—since his life was in danger—to have him hospitalized and removed from the theatre of operations? While he was sent to the hospital to receive treatment for his leg wound, did he receive any psychological counselling after his suicide attempt?
As an Individual
None whatsoever.
The question as to whether Frédéric had seen a psychologist came up during the inquiry. He was not seen at any time by a psychologist.
As an Individual
That's the worst part. In my opinion, as soon as a soldier is involved in an accident, counselling should be made available to him.
Bloc
Guy André Bloc Berthier—Maskinongé, QC
It is terrible and I am very surprised that this happened.
Had a professional met with your son, anything they discussed would have been covered by a confidentiality agreement. The military or the professional treating your son would not have been able to disclose anything to you, because of confidentiality provisions.
Bloc
Guy André Bloc Berthier—Maskinongé, QC
But that is not what happened, as you obviously learned. He did not receive any counselling. That surprises me a great deal, because I feel that a person who attempts suicide should at least receive some psychological counselling.
So then, he came home, having lost his leg, but he didn't speak to you about it.
Bloc
Guy André Bloc Berthier—Maskinongé, QC
He kept everything to himself.
You said that your son was not in contact very much with the military. Would you have known if the military had had any further contacts with your son? You told us that he met with a psychologist for 15 minutes. But would you have known if he had met with anyone else at some other time?
As an Individual
In my opinion, yes.
My son was honest and would have told me if he had met with someone.
I'm such an inquisitive person that when he went to Quebec City, for example, I asked him who he met with while he was there.
If I could say one more thing, when soldiers return home, a case report is usually drafted. That didn't happen in Frédéric's case. Montreal General Hospital only received part of his medical file. It's as if Frédéric fell through the cracks. That is the expression the army uses.
Bloc
Guy André Bloc Berthier—Maskinongé, QC
You're saying then that after he came home, he had no contact with any medical personnel.
I assume he was treated by a doctor for his leg wound.
Bloc
Guy André Bloc Berthier—Maskinongé, QC
No one called him. As far as you know, no appointment was set up. He wasn't in touch with a psychiatrist. He didn't meet with anyone for 45 minutes for an initial assessment to discuss his experience and possible course of treatment. He had no contact whatsoever with anyone.
As an Individual
Absolutely none.
This fact came to light at the inquiry. Some people were surprised to learn that he did not get any counselling.
Bloc
Guy André Bloc Berthier—Maskinongé, QC
Were you offered any counselling after this happened?
What in fact transpired?
