Thank you.
Mr. O'Brien, you referenced the motions that were brought forward by the opposition in advance of the budget, seeking to follow the lead that has been set in other countries with respect to exempting the Department of Veterans Affairs from the austerity measures that have been introduced. I have a couple of questions for you along those lines.
It doesn't matter what question you ask or how you ask it, the answer that we're repeatedly given is that veterans' benefits will be maintained and veterans' benefits have been maintained. It doesn't matter what question we ask, that's the answer. Could I get your reaction to that? Should Canadians be proud that veterans' benefits have been maintained? Should we be proud of the level of service now being given to our veterans?