With the videoconference option, the hearing may be held within a few weeks or a few months. However, the schedule we follow for visiting cities across the country is set in advance. So it may take a few months for a veteran to obtain a hearing.
As a result of the board responding to what was going on at the department with respect to transformation and the deficit reduction action plan, we, on our own, have been working on this process redesign project. One of the aspects of the project is to look at the possibility of using video conferencing in more of our hearings. At present, we are conducting a survey on whether or not veterans are interested in it. We've also asked our stakeholders. We've asked the Royal Canadian Legion and others to give us feedback.
To date, the veteran has agreed to do it by video conference on a voluntary basis. As the technology improves, it makes it much more adaptable. It's quite remarkable.