Veterans Affairs Committee on March 10th, 2015

[The Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

Who will now read your transcript.

[Col Hugh MacKay]

Probably so.

I put the caveat on the seven days to those that have complex cases. As I said in my opening comments, we have a prioritization system and we will prioritize those persons with very complex care to the top of the list. We are seeing them within seven days. We have about a one-month wait list for all other categories within our case management program. Although my case managers are carrying more cases, we do still also suffer from some wait list...but not for those with the most complex care issues. We do have a mechanism for our case managers to speak with the Veterans Affairs case managers. The case managers of Veterans Affairs are within the Canadian forces IPSCs and our case managers meet with them there.

One of the challenges has been having the Veterans Affairs case managers pick up the clients a little earlier in their transition phase as opposed to near the end of their transition phase. That's one of the big things that we're working on to try to make sure that we can have as smooth a transition as possible as the veterans leave the Canadian armed forces. So our case managers are speaking about the cases. I believe they even participate in the multi-disciplinary team meetings—

[Col Marc Bilodeau]

Yes.

[Col Hugh MacKay]

—at the present time as well, so that they hear about what the plan is for their care within the Canadian armed forces and what the plan is as they transition out.

[The Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

I thank you very much for your testimony today and thank you for sharing with us.

Mr. Hawn.

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

I call a point of order to your attention but it's really not a point of order. It's a point of information related to one of Mr. Valeriote's—

[The Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

It's one of these Valeriote kind of things?

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

It will inform the members and it's relative to one of his questions about whether families are involved in rehab when they're at distance. There's a place in Edmonton called Valour Place, which you may be aware of. It's a place that is serving as a model I think for other cities in the country where up to 12 families can be accommodated gratis while their member is undergoing physical or mental rehab at the Glen Rose Rehab Hospital or the other hospitals in Edmonton. So it's a great facility. It was started by some very good folks in Edmonton. I think other cities are looking at it because it is something worth having. Valour Place. You just google Valour Place. You'll see it and you'll be impressed.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

Thank you very much, Mr. Hawn.

I want to let the committee members know that the 40th meeting will take place on Thursday.

Our witnesses for the next meeting on continuum of transition services will be from Veterans of Canada, Honour House Society, the Veterans Transition Network, Monster Canada, Military Minds Incorporated, and Veteran Voice.info. Thank you very much.

Mr. Stoffer wants to share something.

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

As you know, the main estimates are out and usually it's practice to invite the minister as soon as possible when the estimates are out to discuss them. Is there an opportunity for the minister and his officials to show up within the next few weeks?

[Pierre Lemieux, Conservative, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

When are the estimates due back?

[The Clerk of the Committee, Mr. Jean-François Pagé]

May 31.

[Pierre Lemieux, Conservative, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Okay, so let me get back to the committee on that.

Thanks.

[The Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

Thank you, merci.

The meeting is adjourned.