Mr. Chair, I would respond to that question by saying that while our Canadian Forces member veterans are increasing in number, the overall decline in our client numbers is, unfortunately, precipitated by the disproportionate number of war service veterans who are passing away, and the overall decline is led by that.
With respect to frontline service delivery, I want to clarify that we are making sure that by establishing frontline services where we have the most need, we're actually responding to the needs and expectations of the newer veterans. We have to put our frontline services in areas where there is a need—and where the need may, indeed, be increasing. Some of our offices may get smaller, and others, where there is a very low forecast demand, may close gradually over time. However, case management services and other frontline support will continue to be delivered in those areas.
That's a very important message I would like to leave here, that while we may have to find a different way of providing frontline service, veterans will still get case management services from frontline staff in those areas. They will continue to get home visits and they will continue to be supported by Veterans Affairs Canada.
Our opportunity to use online service delivery is for those veterans—or, in some cases, the children of veterans, or the power of attorney of veterans—who may wish to receive services in that way.
What we're doing is expanding our service delivery to ensure that every veteran will be served in the way they choose to be served.