Thank you, Senator Dallaire, for your service to our country, not only in the forces, but as a senator and thank you for appearing before us today.
You have been quite candid with the country, really, in relation to your PTSD, your post-traumatic stress disorder. Many who have appeared before the committee and other veterans we've talked to are quite open about it, some are not open, some leave the forces unaware of the consequences of what they've seen and how they may suffer from it later.
Just this morning, I had the benefit of a briefing from the ministry and I asked them what goes on at the end of their term of duty with the force? Well, they have an exit review. I was trying to be probative. How probing are you of any evidence of PTSD? Well, they're not sure that they're that probing, frankly; ask a few questions and hope that a person is candid and honest with them. I recommended some things, a checklist, maybe even a written test of some sort. Are you having nightmares? Are you angry all the time? Or whatever the signs might be. Some blame the forces for not reaching out enough, some blame the veteran for not being aware.
How do you think Veterans Affairs should be dealing with the issue and should they deal with it before the person leaves and becomes a veteran or wait until something's happening?