Thank you, Minister and Ms. Chaput, for being here today.
I'm going to concentrate on face-to-face service with veterans.
The nine veterans offices have been closed. You have been fond of saying, and your ministry continues to say, that in exchange for that, they now have 600-and-some service points across the country where veterans can receive advice and services, and so on. In theory I suppose that works, but I just want to relate a very quick story that happened recently. I think you'll agree it's unacceptable.
A Korean War veteran who was looking for help with some paperwork and getting some benefits—he doesn't have a computer, and he didn't get any satisfaction with the 1-800 number—went to the local Service Canada office. He waited in line, of course, with everyone else. They were looking for EI benefits, CPP, CPP disability, and so on. I say he stood in line. He leaned on his cane in line while he was waiting. He finally got to the receptionist, and she told him there was no one there who could help him, that he'd have to go the Legion. Going to the Legion of course for that kind of help, which legionnaires try to give as best they can; it's not really their job.... He didn't get any satisfaction.
I'm just wondering if we can get a commitment from you today that at these Service Canada points across Canada there will be a trained and dedicated person on staff who will be able to deal with veterans' issues so they truly do become 600-and-some service points for veterans.
I hate to think that these offices disappeared, and then just on your say-so or the ministry's say-so these 600-and-some points will be able to serve these veterans. I wonder if I could get your thoughts on that.