Veterans Affairs Committee on Nov. 7th, 2013

[The Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

The proceedings are now public.

Ladies and gentlemen, now joining us are senior officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs. We have André Levesque, Director General of the Commemoration Division, Janice Burke, Senior Director of Strategic Policy Integration, and Charlotte Bastien, Director General of Field Operations.

I would like to welcome our distinguished guests and let them know they have 10 minutes for their presentation—not 10 minutes each, mind you, but 10 minutes in total. Afterwards, we'll proceed with questions and answers, as usual.

Mr. Levesque, your microphone is on, and we are eager to hear what you have to say.

[André Levesque, Director General, Commemoration Division, Department of Veterans Affairs]

Thank you, Mr. Chair, for the invitation to appear before the committee today. It's an honour to speak to you.

All three of us will be speaking, and I will be last, so I'll turn the floor over to my colleagues.

[Janice Burke, Senior Director, Strategic Policy Integration, Department of Veterans Affairs]

Good morning, everyone. My name is Janice Burke. I am the director of strategic policy in the policy division of Veterans Affairs Canada. I'm very happy to be appearing before you today.

As some of you may recall, I was last here in October 2012 and was providing an update on the benefits browser at that time. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce my colleagues, who will take you through an overview of the departmental services and benefits, otherwise known as VAC 101.

My colleague Charlotte Bastien, who is the director general of field operations in the service delivery branch, will speak to you about the services and benefits, including service delivery. André Levesque, who is the director general of commemorations, will give you an update on commemorative activities.

We'll begin with Charlotte.

[Charlotte Bastien, Director General, Field Operations, Department of Veterans Affairs]

Good morning. I will begin with the first part of our presentation, an overview of our programs and services.

Whom do we serve? We serve more than 200,000 people ranging in age from 19 to 90 years old, and that includes war service veterans, Second World War and Korean War, Canadian Armed Forces personnel and veterans, RCMP members and survivors. The total planned spending for 2013-14 is $3.6 billion, of which 90% flows directly to veterans.

I will provide an overview of our benefits and services. We have the disability pension and related allowance overview. Veterans, Canadian and merchant navy of the First World War, Second World War, and Korean War, and serving or former members of the Canadian Armed Forces who suffer from a service-related medical condition may qualify for a disability pension. Civilians who served in close support of the armed forces during wartime may also qualify. Veterans of allied forces may also be entitled to pension and compensation. Additional benefits may be awarded if the veteran has a spouse or dependents.

There's also the war veterans allowance. To give an overview, it's a form of financial assistance available from Veterans Affairs Canada and is in recognition of war services. Qualified veterans and survivors are provided with a regular monthly income to meet basic needs. The war veterans allowance is based on income, family status, and number of dependents.

Regarding treatment benefits, they are available for all veterans, traditional and modern-day. We provide a range of treatment benefits related to the 14 programs of choice, which include support for aids for daily living, ambulance services, audio services, dental services, hospital services, medical services, medical supplies, nursing services, oxygen therapy, prescription drugs, prosthetics, orthotics, related health services, special equipment, and vision care.

The department also provides support for service elements, such as health professionals, occupational stress injury clinics, and medicare premiums. Veterans may qualify to receive financial support for one or more treatment benefits if they are in receipt of a disability benefit, participating in the rehabilitation program, in receipt of the veterans independence program or long-term care, and also if they're in receipt of the war veterans allowance or the Canadian forces income support. Travel expenses incurred by the veteran when travelling to receive health care services and benefits may be reimbursed by Veterans Affairs.

The veterans independence program overview is also designed to assist veterans and survivors in maintaining their independence through the provision of home and community care, and includes services such as personal care, housekeeping, ground maintenance, ambulatory services, transportation services, home adaptation, and nursing home care. In budget 2012, we did have specific measures announced that included replacing the existing contribution agreement for the housekeeping and grounds-keeping component of the veterans independence program with annual grants, and that began in January 2013.

Regarding long-term care, we do provide support in three types of settings for long-term care: community beds in facilities that provide nursing home care to veterans and other provincial residents; contract beds in facilities with beds designated through contractual arrangements, with priority access for veterans; and also the departmental beds at Ste. Anne's Hospital.

In 2006 we did introduce the new Veterans Charter to support the modern-day veteran and their family's re-establishment into civilian life. As of June 2013, more than 44,000 veterans and their families have access to comprehensive rehabilitation and vocational assistance services, financial benefits, group health insurance, career transition services, disability award, death benefit, and family support.

To enhance the new Veterans Charter, changes were made In 2011 to enhance benefits and services. Some of the main highlights were to ensure a minimum annual income of more than $42,000 for veterans in the rehabilitation program, or until age 65.

On mental health services, for those living with a mental health condition, we have a range of services and benefits for veterans, Canadian Armed Forces personnel, RCMP members, as well as their families. I will stress that we have 10 clinics throughout the country.

We provide case management services and transition services. There are also a number of levels of reviews and appeals if a veteran does not agree with the decision made regarding his application for disability benefits.

We have 60 locations throughout the country and more than 100 VAC employees on 24 CF bases and wings. We can be reached through our toll-free line, VAC account, and website.

I will leave commemoration to my colleague, André.

[André Levesque]

Thank you kindly. The Canada Remembers program endeavours to keep alive—

[The Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

I just wanted to let you know you have two minutes left. If you're sharing your time, you'll have to speak quickly.

[André Levesque]

I'll talk quickly.

The Canada Remembers program endeavours to keep alive the achievements and sacrifices made by those who served Canada in times of war, military conflict and peace. It also seeks to promote an understanding of the significance of these efforts in Canadian life as we know it today.

As you can see here, we are making numerous efforts, including maintaining memorials, providing funeral and burial services, organizing ceremonies, ensuring learning opportunities and funding community groups.

It will interest you to know that the majority of Canadians support veterans. The attitude is very positive. In fact, 91% of Canadians believe that veterans should be recognized for their service to Canada.

Let's not forget that there is a parliamentary program concerning wreaths for parliamentarians. If you have not already ordered yours, it's important to call 1-866-506-6805.

There's also a program dealing with Canadian flags for parliamentarians for the sole purpose of providing flags to families of veterans who have passed away. Again, you can contact Canadian Heritage.

In terms of commemoration, this year is the Year of the Korean War Veteran. We created a special certificate to recognize these veterans, and we're encouraging them and their families to ask for these certificates.

Also important to note is that the period from 2014, with the commemoration of the Great War, until 2020, with the 75th anniversary of the Second World War, will be extremely important.

Last, I would remind you that the 2013 budget proposes a $5 million permanent visitor centre at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France, with the unveiling planned for 2017. It will be an important commemorative activity for Canada as a whole, in celebrating Vimy, as well as part of the road to 2017.

[The Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

Thank you very much for this excellent presentation. We'll now go to questions. The first questioner is a tough one, so be careful.

Mr. Stoffer, go ahead.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair,

Folks, I was wondering if you could give us, not right now, a written breakdown of what the staff complement would be for DVA in future years.

If I'm not mistaken, it was 4,100 a couple of years ago. With the transfer of Ste. Anne's to Quebec, there are now 900 full-time equivalents, if I'm not mistake, plus I understand that another 845 were to be readjusted out. That makes about 1,800 out of 4,100. I just want to verify that.

Could you send written information about what you believe the staff numbers will be next year and the year after? That would be great.

[Charlotte Bastien]

Mr. Stoffer, your request has been noted.

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

Merci. Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

Please send the information to the clerk.

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

To the clerk, yes. Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

Mr. Rafferty, it's your turn.

[John Rafferty, NDP, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair, and thank you to the witnesses for joining us today.

A very large concern of mine is poverty among all Canadians, but especially among veterans, wartime and modern. I'm not sure if you're aware of this, but the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation was founded in 1946 with the sole purpose of, I think the quote is “helping Canada's veterans”.

If you go into any city or town in Ontario, certainly you'll see these small single-floor cottages with one bedroom or two bedrooms, which were built in that period for veterans of World War II. However, things have changed. Not only does such a stand-alone housing program not exist any more for modern veterans, but the CMHC and Canadian taxpayers are on the hook for nearly $1 trillion in Canadian mortgages of varying quality that are held by private financial institutions.

Under this government's watch, homelessness—not even having a roof over your head—has become an issue of great concern with respect to veterans and especially aboriginal veterans, who my staff and I see every day in my office in Thunder Bay. Food bank use by veterans has skyrocketed also.

I have a couple of questions for you today. I'll get to homelessness again, but first let me ask you a question of national and local importance. Veterans Affairs has recently announced that it will be closing the Thunder Bay office, along with other offices across Canada. I have a question, and then it's going to be a money question.

Why are veterans in my riding, my constituents, being forced to travel 10 hours by road to receive specialized face-to-face Veterans Affairs service? Keep in mind that these are wartime veterans. These are veterans who are used to doing things in a certain way and having those supports. Many of them are in their nineties and they use this face-to-face service. My question is, how much money is the Harper government actually saving by closing these offices, and the Thunder Bay office in particular?

[Charlotte Bastien]

First of all—

[John Rafferty, NDP, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

Or if you'd like to get back to us again, a written answer to the clerk would be okay, if you're not prepared to answer now.

[Charlotte Bastien]

Great.

[John Rafferty, NDP, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

So you'll get back to the clerk with that information. Thank you.

As you know, the Harper government has supposedly set out to balance its budget, I think for the first time since 2007, and as part of that effort, each department was asked to cut spending by between 5% and 10%, according to various reports. This was also confirmed by some ministers publicly.

How much was Veterans Affairs asked to cut and from what programs was this money taken?

[Janice Burke]

We could certainly get back to you on the question.

[John Rafferty, NDP, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

If you would, that would be great. Thank you very much.

[The Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

It gives you more time for more questions.

[John Rafferty, NDP, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

Yes, it does.

[The Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

You have one more minute.

[John Rafferty, NDP, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

I have lots of questions. I have a Last Post Fund question, but I'll ask the housing question first.

In a recent press release Veterans Affairs said the following:

“One homeless Veteran on the streets is one too many. That’s why the Government of Canada is working to prevent and reduce homelessness among Veterans," said Minister Fantino. "Our Government is working hard to build new partnerships to help ensure homeless Veterans and those who are at risk of becoming homeless are getting the care and support they need.”

Why is the government building partnerships and not simply taking sole responsibility for ensuring that not a single Canadian veteran is homeless? Why is there not a single specific and stand-alone federal program dedicated to building housing for Canada's modern veterans, poor, homeless, and otherwise?

I'm wondering if they're not worth the same thanks and support as wartime veterans received after the Second World War.