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.
As an Individual
He might have at the rehabilitation centre, but we were never told about it. That's the only thing I might wonder about, but still, I think Frédéric would have talked about it. We asked him what kind of people or doctors he saw, but he never mentioned a psychologist.
Conservative
Brian Storseth Conservative Westlock—St. Paul, AB
You also mentioned the lack of mental preparation before your son left on deployment. You said that all soldiers who leave on deployment have a lack of mental preparation for what they'll face when they get over there. What do you think about the need for families to have some sort of education on mental health issues, so that they're aware of what it's going to be like coming home at the end of the deployment? Was there such a thing in place at that time, and do you agree with that?
As an Individual
No, because where we live, we are a long way from the services in Quebec City. Frédéric was from Quebec City. But one month after he left, I think, we were sent information in the mail. Otherwise, no one from the armed forces ever came to the house to tell us how to act with Frédéric, who was suffering from post-traumatic stress. We were never given any information.
Conservative
Brian Storseth Conservative Westlock—St. Paul, AB
One of the other questions that arose from your testimony was how much he needed to be around his comrades.
One of the things that has come before our committee has to do with dealing with Veterans Affairs or bureaucrats in DND. After the military members come home injured, they often feel frustration with bureaucrats. Do you think it would be beneficial to have more people in the bureaucracy who understood the mentality of the men and women in the Canadian Forces and who would be a bit more understanding of the things they have experienced?
As an Individual
Yes, absolutely. I find it unfortunate that I had to go on TV to tell our story. But I'm convinced that I'm not the only mother who has gone through this. I would have liked that information, even though my son died.
Conservative
Brian Storseth Conservative Westlock—St. Paul, AB
I agree. I've talked to many mothers who feel the same way you do.
One of the things you mentioned is that our men and women in the Canadian Forces are Type A personalities. They're very bold. There's an attitude, a stigma, attached to coming forward with a mental health injury. It was very much looked down upon over the last 20 years. You mentioned that stigma yourself.
In the research you've done since your son's death, do you feel the education is getting better? Do you feel the military is moving in the right direction when it comes to their new rollout of mental health education?
As an Individual
I think so, yes. Frédéric's best friend is on his third deployment. He told us that there is some post-traumatic stress. If we were to rate it, it would be the most serious. But he had the opportunity to share those things with us. He understands that, as parents of a soldier, we know what his family might be going through. In fact, he probably wouldn't even tell them, but he knows other parents who have had this experience. As you said, soldiers are tough guys, for sure. They must not show any weakness. I think that they'll all end up cracking if they experience this stress.
Conservative
Brian Storseth Conservative Westlock—St. Paul, AB
Indeed it takes great strength to be able to talk about some of the things they've gone through and to come forward with that.
My last question for you—and I do want to thank you again for coming forward—is of all of the changes you have seen the Department of National Defence or Veterans Affairs make since your son's death, from your perspective as a mother, is there one that sticks out as being the most important?
As an Individual
Do you mean a change that has been made or one that hasn't?
As an Individual
The change that hasn't been made concerns post-traumatic stress. They need more psychologists. No one talks about that. But when they return to Cyprus, the soldiers undergo a decompression process. They have writing to do. I think that's good.
Liberal
Lise Zarac Liberal LaSalle—Émard, QC
Good afternoon, Ms. Lagiomonière. Thank you for being here today.
I'd like to go back to the suicide pact that was made. When did you hear about it?
As an Individual
It was in one of the letters that Frédéric wrote. He wrote many.
As an Individual
To everyone. At the start of the letter, he had written "To everyone". We were given the letters. People from the military came to the house and we gave it to them. We asked them what should be done about it. It wasn't clear. The end of the letter indicated that there might have been a pact.
Liberal
As an Individual
He said that if he didn't come back with all his limbs, he was going to kill himself.
Liberal
As an Individual
Yes. We told them about it right away. We all said that something absolutely had to be done.
Liberal
Lise Zarac Liberal LaSalle—Émard, QC
You must have asked them about this. What was their response? Is it something they are aware of, that happens regularly?
As an Individual
They said absolutely nothing, except that they were going to look into it.
Liberal
Lise Zarac Liberal LaSalle—Émard, QC
You said earlier that you took part in an inquiry following your son's suicide. Do you know if army people tried to contact the soldiers who were in the same group as Frédéric, to find out what the pact consisted of and if other soldiers might be in danger?
