Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
Folks, thank you very much for coming today.
Colonel Bernier, you just indicated the complexity of trying to find civilian assistance for military personnel when they leave the forces. As you know, unfortunately, 20 military personnel committed suicide last year. That doubled the rate of last year. Even with all of the great efforts that DND and DVA are making to assist these people, it still is an unfortunate tragedy that our brave men and women, unfortunately, for whatever reason, decide to take their lives.
Would it not be advisable then, sir, in the context of that, and in the context of these severe PTSD and mental health challenges they and their families are going through, that if they exit DND on a 3(b) or medical release of some kind, they be able to keep—even though they are veterans—the access to DND, to keep that link with them until a particular private or provincial service is found? Right now, what happens is they leave DND and that's it. Then they get help and try to find another doctor. Five and half million Canadians don't have one now. It's very difficult for DND personnel to find one as well. Would it not be advisable to do that in order to assist them?
My question for Anne-Marie Pellerin—you indicated that 40 to 1 is now roughly the ratio. Are you almost there yet?