Thank you.
Evidence of meeting #41 for Veterans Affairs in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was transition.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #41 for Veterans Affairs in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was transition.
A recording is available from Parliament.
9:40 a.m.
NDP
Fin Donnelly NDP New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC
Thank you very much.
My second question is for the Caregivers' Brigade. In terms of delivering the appropriate level of care to loved ones, is there a discrepancy between the amount of benefits and services that veterans receive from Veterans Affairs and the actual cost of delivering care?
9:40 a.m.
Director of Administration, Caregivers' Brigade
I'm glad you asked, because I actually just went through that.
This comes not only from our own personal psychologist but also from a psychologist out in the Prairies. The cost to deliver the care and what the psychologists are receiving for treating veterans is anywhere from half to three-quarters of what they're paid in civilian life. They are all committed to helping veterans. Unfortunately the paycheque that goes along with helping veterans is a lot less, so you're not going to have those budding young psychologists or psychiatrists popping up saying, “Pick me. Pick me” because if they can open up a practice and get paid the standard going rate in their area versus what they'd be paid by Veterans Affairs, they're going to take the standard going rate in their area. Then we end up falling short in providing those services to the veterans and their families.
9:40 a.m.
NDP
Fin Donnelly NDP New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC
With regard to the last question on lost opportunities, are those, in your opinion, taken into account in the calculation of how veterans are compensated or what they receive? For instance, if they're unable to work in different careers because of a disability, do you think that is taken into account or calculated in—
9:40 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Royal Galipeau
You took the whole time up.
You can reply to that question in writing.
March 24th, 2015 / 9:40 a.m.
Conservative
Bryan Hayes Conservative Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I will take only two minutes. My Legion membership dues are outstanding, but we'll get caught up on that.
Madam Bélanger, in your opinion, what is your most critical research item or finding and subsequent recommendation that has not yet been implemented?
9:40 a.m.
Associate Director, Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research
That is a valid question. Right now the most pressing issue is how to have access to the population of veterans at the moment of transition, and this is why there is so much research being done on transition. We're trying to figure out a way to ease the transition by following the member before they are released until they are released so that they will have access to all the programs before they need them, so they know the programs exist and they and their families are well educated.
This is where the work most needs to be done right now. I'm not saying the work is not being done, but this is where there is a gap, where we as committed researchers are trying to reduce that gap.
9:40 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Royal Galipeau
Thank you very much.
Thank you especially to the members of the committee for having followed the whip so well.
I would like to thank the witnesses who appeared this morning for sharing their experience and wisdom with us.