Veterans Affairs Committee on Oct. 25th, 2011

[Eve Adams, Conservative, Mississauga—Brampton South, ON]

Could you perhaps detail for us some of those enhancements and the expansion of services?

[James Gilbert]

Yes, thank you.

If you look at the new Veterans Charter, as we're moving forward--

[Eve Adams, Conservative, Mississauga—Brampton South, ON]

Perhaps you'd be kind enough to focus your attention on the enhancements that we're offering to our most seriously injured and ill veterans, how the additional $1,000 supplementary....

Thank you.

[James Gilbert]

In terms of the key areas of the new Veterans Charter, focusing on low-income veterans, we've established a pre-tax income of $40,000 a year so that no one will fall below that threshold when he or she is in rehabilitation.

We've improved access to monthly allowances. These allowances are worth up to $1,631 a month and are payable for life.

We've added a $1,000 monthly supplement to the permanent impairment allowance to help the most severely injured or ill veterans who are unable to be suitably and gainfully employed. This supplement is also payable for life.

We've created, again, more flexibility, as you mentioned earlier, under the disability award so that veterans themselves can choose how they want to receive it—either one-time or on an annual basis, or a combination thereof.

[Eve Adams, Conservative, Mississauga—Brampton South, ON]

So it's simply not true to say that veterans benefits have been cut by $226 million.

[James Gilbert]

Correct. It's not true.

[Eve Adams, Conservative, Mississauga—Brampton South, ON]

So if someone said so, they were either not doing their homework or perhaps were trying to be alarmist or sensational.

[James Gilbert]

I don't know what the motivation would be, but it's not true.

[Eve Adams, Conservative, Mississauga—Brampton South, ON]

In fact, veterans benefits have increased. The announcement to flow that money was made just two weeks ago.

[James Gilbert]

That is correct.

[Eve Adams, Conservative, Mississauga—Brampton South, ON]

Mr. Chair, I'd also like to point out and bring to your attention a breach of my privilege. On that same website, there appear to be comments that were raised—and they were raised only in camera—that were attributed to me. That does appear to be a breach of privilege. I think we all need to be aware of our obligations. That blog does appear to be breaching the privilege of members of this committee, so in addition to my committee member's request for an apology at the end of this committee, I would hope that the member would apologize for that breach also.

[Peter Stoffer, NDP, Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS]

Point of order.

[The Chair, Conservative, Greg Kerr]

Yes. I was going to comment—

[Eve Adams, Conservative, Mississauga—Brampton South, ON]

Yes. We'll raise that separately.

[Peter Stoffer, NDP, Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS]

Absolutely. Those comments should be made in camera.

[The Chair, Conservative, Greg Kerr]

Yes. I think the point is made, and I think probably there will be time in committee business, if you want to pursue that, when we will look at the options available.

So that covers your time slot for now.

[Eve Adams, Conservative, Mississauga—Brampton South, ON]

Do I have more time available?

[The Chair, Conservative, Greg Kerr]

Actually, we are at the end of the time slot. I'm sorry.

What I would like to do is what former Chair Sweet did and take the option of actually asking a question, because we have little time.

I want to go back on a couple of things, Mr. Hillier. You and I have been down a lot of roads on a lot of issues before, and one I want to note is the incredible change in approach and attitude in the department from a couple of years ago, in the sense that you are approaching the issues head on, and partnering up. I want to commend all of the departmental people, because I remember some of the difficulties when you tried to defend something that perhaps was indefensible at the time.

In particular—and Mr. Storseth referred to it—I would like to get you to comment a little further on case management. Any of us who have dealt with veterans in very great difficulty realize that a couple of years ago, one of the greatest complaints was that the case manager did not have the authority, the clout, or the wherewithal to actually pursue items or issues. You had to go back up through the chain, and sometimes it took weeks and weeks.

You talk about the increased numbers, but could you also talk a little bit about the increased responsibility they have? What do you see happening in that phase, because it's quite the opposite of having fewer people on the ground? There are more people and more people with more authority, I understand you to be saying this morning.

[Keith Hillier]

Yes, Mr. Chair, that is correct.

The case management, as I noted, is really key to the success. I just want to point out that, before we actually get to case management, all members releasing from the Canadian Forces have an opportunity for a transition interview with the department. So within the last six months before they leave, they actually have an interview with a Veterans Affairs person, to make them aware of the services and benefits that they may or may not need. Many people released from the Canadian Forces do not need the services of Veterans Affairs.

With regards to case management, you're quite right that we have delegated, what I would say is, the maximum authority to the field—and not just to the case managers. Certainly, as it relates to rehabilitation, as you noted, they don't have to send it up the chain to get approved. They can actually make the decisions that, in their professional judgment, are best for that veteran.

Also, they work as a health care team so that the case manager works with the veteran—and hopefully with the veteran's family, if the veteran wishes so—to develop a customized case plan. This case plan sets goals and objectives that are reasonable, given the situation the veteran may find herself or himself in.

As we go through this case plan, we have professionals on the ground across the country. So the expertise of the case manager is supplemented by doctors, nurses, professional specialists, physiotherapists, etc. So it's really a holistic view of working with a case plan that is tailored with the veteran and the veteran's family, with the goal of successful reintegration into civilian society.

Thank you for your kind comments. We have accomplished much, but I have to say there's still much to do; we're not there yet.

[The Chair, Conservative, Greg Kerr]

I want to say to both of you, as a matter of fact, that former Minister Thompson said you can never do enough for our veterans.

Thank you very much for the very clear and precise information you provided. I think all members of the committee found it very, very helpful to clarify the issues. All the best to all of those in the department.

Thank you.

We're going to suspend for a couple of minutes, and then go into the committee business section.

[Proceedings continue in camera]