Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. O'Brien and Mr. Jenkins, first of all, I want to thank you, gentlemen, for raising the concerns of your respective organizations with respect to the upcoming budget cuts and the examples set in the United States and the U.K.
You may or may not be aware, but this committee actually started a study on the impact of the budget cuts. But it was terminated after we heard from only a couple of senior officials at Veterans Affairs.
I'm sure you're also aware that this past Monday we spent a full day in the House of Commons debating the very issue you have brought forward. When it finally came to a vote, your wish for bipartisanship, unfortunately, didn't bear out. The votes broke down along party lines and not as you would have wished.
Thank you. I think it's important that this message be raised loud and often as the budget approaches.
My first question is for Mr. Chartrand, since he is the only witness who has not spoken yet.
Mr. Chartrand, I know that you are a spokesperson for veterans. Do you represent only aboriginals or do you also speak on the behalf of other veterans groups?
Sir, I wonder if you would be so kind as to set forth your experience with the aboriginal veterans groups, or more generally in terms of your advocacy work on behalf of veterans.