Thank you all for coming today to speak to us.
Mr. Forbes, in other language and based on an opinion that I have now arrived at after being here for just a little more than a week, the government has been ragging the puck on fixing the veterans charter and addressing the real issues.
I have looked at and have read most of “Improving the New Veterans Charter”, from the veterans ombudsman. I have looked at reports. He says there are three main flaws: financial instability caused by reduced post-release income and insufficient after-65 support; limitations in vocational rehab and assistance; and third, insufficient support to families.
He says then in his report that we should look at everything with this lens: the adequacy of the programs or whether they are appropriate; the sufficiency of the programs or whether they are supported financially and with proper human resources; and finally, whether they are accessible to everyone who needs the program.
I'm listening to all the different presentations today and last week. Everybody has their own idea of how to fix things, though we all agree on what's broken.
Mr. Forbes, you come from a legal background, and I got the clear impression that you've been involved previously in personal injury cases for people other than veterans. You talked about future cost of care, loss of income, and a pain and suffering award—those three elements.
That intrigues me. Do you think that the application of this approach that the courts take has merit when it comes to veterans with these kinds of total and permanent disabilities, something like structured settlements and others that you no doubt have been involved in?