Thank you very much.
As we know, the Ste. Anne's Hospital is about to close or transfer to Quebec and there are 1,300 people working there. My question is threefold in this regard. I understand that those 1,300 jobs are supposed to transfer to the Province of Quebec. So that's a 1,300-person reduction from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
In the media it's said, and I believe Mr. Hillier indicated this earlier, that we're looking at 500 reductions at DVA through attrition or retirement—however you're going to do it—plus a $200-million cut to the department. Over 10 years, it's almost your $2 billion that you talk about reinvesting into the department. So if I just do those figures generally, you're looking at 1,800 people being removed from a department of almost 4,000 people. That's a 40% human resource cut to your department. Many people are very concerned about that. I'd like your comments on that.
But before you do that, we had also talked about the earlier press conference by the three veterans who were worried about their privacy. Their information was spread out. I know that's a long, involved question, but if we could have something in writing from your department on what you're doing to fix that so it never happens again, it would be most appreciated.
You also indicated that you had a duty to help veterans. I called your office a couple of times regarding Sarah Atwood. She's a 92-year-old World War II veteran and the wife of an overseas World War II veteran. She's in the last months of her life but was denied access to Camp Hill Hospital because she is not an overseas World War veteran. I just found it rather unfortunate and very sad that a woman who has served our country, although here at home, would be denied access to Camp Hill Hospital when there were beds available.
As for compassionate grounds, sir, we know that the World War II and Korean veterans are going quickly and that, unfortunately, there will be beds available or open as a result. What we've been asking for is that these veterans and the modern-day veterans have access to those contract beds in the future, because, as you know, many veterans are in their fifties, sixties, and seventies now and are going to be looking for long-term care. The provinces are concerned that the government may be downloading the care of these veterans onto the provinces.
I'd just like your comments on that, please. And thank you for coming.