Sure, Mr. O'Toole, and if I may return the compliment, it's always great as a member of Parliament to have among us a Canadian who has served our country, and who has a great and respected experience. I think it's an asset for all parliamentarians to have you as a former member of the military in our Parliament.
Regarding your question, through VIP our government has taken the initiative to make sure that every time we lose a veteran, the veteran's partner, whether a man or woman, a widow or widower, can have the same access to the same benefits the deceased veteran was entitled to. This is an expansion of the veterans independence program. That's why there are more than 30,000 widows throughout the country who are benefiting from the program.
Hopefully by the end of this committee I will be able to tell them that I got the support from the veterans affairs committee so we are able to move forward with the supplementary estimates and with the main estimates as well.