Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you, Minister and Deputy Minister, for appearing today, and to all our veterans in the room, thank you very much for coming today.
Minister and Deputy Minister, I have three questions for you. Because my time is limited, I'll give you the questions first and then you can respond when you have an opportunity.
First, the briefing notes on page 2, in section B, part 1, paragraph a, refer to pensions and benefits under the Pension Act decreasing by $96 million. I wonder if you can elaborate a bit more on that and how you've come to that figure. I know it refers to war veterans, but I'd like to get a more enhanced appreciation of that figure.
Second, as you know, the government did announce, and we thank the government for allowing modern-day veterans access to the Last Post Fund. Minister, as you know, in 1995 the then finance minister, Paul Martin, cut the eligibility for the Last Post Fund from an entry level of $24,000 to $12,000. As far as I know that figure is still at $12,000. Even though modern-day veterans may be eligible for the Last Post Fund, if you do not increase the eligibility for the entry level income of $12,000 to at least 1995 levels, many, many veterans will still not be eligible for this particular program.
Basically, what that extra money would do for those veterans who are eligible, instead of getting the $3,600 they received in the past, they would get close to over $7,300. Isn't it unfair that the entry level for the $12,000 is still there, and not at least at the 1995 level? If you include inflation, that figure should be at about $40,000 entry level to the Last Post Fund.
My third question for you concerns a fair number of complaints I have received regarding the recent advertising on television. I understand this figure may be up to about $1 million. When someone calls the 1-800 number provided on the television, there is no response. The calls I have received are from people complaining that this is more political advertising and is not necessarily to help veterans.
I appreciate the fact that the government wishes to reach out to the veteran community, because many veterans, or their families, or RCMP members don't know what benefits are out there. I notice as well that you didn't mention the RCMP in the ads. The government made the decision to cut the nine offices across the country, and then did this rather expensive advertising. I must say that perception-wise, I don't think it fits well within the veterans community.
I'd like to have you respond to that, and I do thank both of you for coming today.
Thank you very much.