Thank you for your question.
As I used to chair a committee, I'm reminded that I should always address the chair. So, Mr. Chair, please excuse me. I will answer my colleague very nicely.
As I have just stated, the benefits to veterans will be maintained. That's clear to me, and I've been clear on that in many places, that this is important.
Why is that so? It is because we are a veterans-based organization. We have quasi-statutory programs. That's why we have put aside $2 billion for enhancements to the new Veterans Charter and this money will flow based on the need.
We have a projection, but it is a projection. What really matters is if a veteran's needs are typical of a service at a point in time, they'll be sure to have it because it's quasi-statutory. I get back to this expression of quasi-statutory, because it is at the heart of what we're doing here at the department. It is automatic. It goes as the assessed need is proven. This is what our government has been doing for the last six years.
As I mentioned in my opening comments, I am really impressed because over the last six years, on average, more than $500 million in additional money has been invested in our veterans and their families. It's a total of $3.16 billion over the last six years of additional money that has been invested in our veterans, including the new Veterans Charter. We also had the Agent Orange settlement. These are the kinds of initiatives this government has taken to make sure that our veterans receive the services to which they are fully entitled.
I will be very clear again: Benefits to veterans will be maintained.