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.
5:05 p.m.
As an Individual
They told me when the inquiry started that that was the purpose of it.
5:05 p.m.
As an Individual
Things changed along the way. At one point, I found out that Frédéric had tried to commit suicide there. At the start, the process was supposed to take three months. In the end, it lasted six, and 54 people appeared.
5:05 p.m.
Liberal
Lise Zarac Liberal LaSalle—Émard, QC
Do you know if they managed to find out who was part of the pact?
5:05 p.m.
Liberal
Lise Zarac Liberal LaSalle—Émard, QC
We've also talked a lot about preparation. Do you know if, in preparing the soldiers before their deployment to Afghanistan, they were told about the possibility that they might come home with one less limb? They need to be aware of this possibility and be pretty strong to come back and accept it. Do you know if this was part of their training?
5:05 p.m.
Liberal
Lise Zarac Liberal LaSalle—Émard, QC
I believe you said that you would have acted differently had you been aware of the pact's existence. Does the military provide adequate training to family members?
5:05 p.m.
As an Individual
To be honest, we did not get any kind of training. Even since Frédéric's death, no follow up is made, not in the regions, in any case.
5:05 p.m.
Liberal
Lise Zarac Liberal LaSalle—Émard, QC
Furthermore, I find it odd that, as a Quebec City resident, he was taken to Montreal General Hospital. He should have been taken to Valcartier.
What reason did they give for doing that? Why did they transfer him to Montreal General Hospital?
5:05 p.m.
As an Individual
They told us that Frédéric had asked to be taken there, but you can just imagine what my son was going through. The drugs were affecting him a great deal, he had lost a leg and he was in rough shape. I believe the decision was made by military authorities. We were living in the Eastern Townships, so they likely thought Montreal was closer.
5:05 p.m.
Liberal
Lise Zarac Liberal LaSalle—Émard, QC
Did the reason for moving him to Montreal General Hospital ever come up during the course of the inquiry? Did the question as to whether he received the help he needed ever arise? As you stated, Montreal General Hospital does not have any specialists who work specifically with soldiers who have experienced trauma. This type of support is more often provided to soldiers at Valcartier. Was this ever an issue during the inquiry?
5:05 p.m.
As an Individual
The inquiry concluded that Frédéric had never received any psychological counselling.
5:05 p.m.
Liberal
Lise Zarac Liberal LaSalle—Émard, QC
If you could change anything, Ms. Lagimonière, what recommendations would you make to the military? We do not want to see other mothers come here to testify for the same reasons that you have. In your opinion, what needs to change in order for this to never happen again?
5:05 p.m.
As an Individual
I wouldn't use the word “change”, but rather “improve”. As I said earlier, the military trains soldiers for duty. I will say that soldiers are well trained. I saw soldiers boarding the plane who were ready and highly motivated. Maybe their parents need to be prepared and told that if ever something were to happen to their son, daughter or spouse, they should be prepared to be traumatized. Providing help in the larger regions is important, but the smaller regions should not be forgotten either.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
Brian Storseth Conservative Westlock—St. Paul, AB
I just want to touch upon a few things, because I find this exceedingly interesting.
You talk about our soldiers before deployment and then after deployment. I've been there in both situations. I've been there when our men and women were being deployed, and you're right that they're very strong. I've also been there many times on the ramps when they've come home. They're still very strong, but there's definitely a change in their eyes and personalities. It's something you are acutely aware of.
In a way I have to say this to the side, but I'm always struck by the ages of these men and women going to Afghanistan and other places in the world to protect the values and freedoms of this country. It's inspiring, but at the same time you also think about yourself when you were that age, and how susceptible they are to different kinds of mental health problems when they endure something like that. It's the same thing we heard from World War II veterans about when they were in combat. I think it is very important.
Mr. Stoffer and Mr. Mayes also had a little discussion that is critically important. It was about personal privacy versus general health care and best practices for our military men and women. I assume you're of the opinion that it would be best for you, as the mother, to know if there's a serious risk to your child when he comes home. I want to get it on the record.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
5:10 p.m.
As an Individual
It's not that I would want to know about his personal life, but if he were to have an accident, we would want to be informed, to be better able to help him. I'm not interested in knowing who he is sleeping with. At the very least, I would want to know if he needs some psychological help. If so, we would be there for him and could get him the help he needs.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
Brian Storseth Conservative Westlock—St. Paul, AB
Absolutely.
I want to talk about your son Frédéric's friend. Would you say that he has had better care since he's come home than your son did?
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
Brian Storseth Conservative Westlock—St. Paul, AB
Has it been substantially better? You're indicating yes, so you believe that things are generally going in the right direction, but there are still some things we need to work on.
