Mr. Chair, before I ask the question, I need to put something on the record.
The Liberal member, in his opening remarks before he asked a question, mentioned how appalled and how insulted he is by the caregiver benefit proposed in this legislation. I would like to remind him that the previous government, the Liberal government in 1995, made the deepest cuts to veterans, taking away benefits, and taking away benefits that took more than 15 years to restore. Many of the veterans, including those that fought in the Italian campaign, never lived long enough to get it back. I say to the member, you are sitting with those people in the House today that did that. I know you are not in the House, but don't say you are appalled by something that's proposed that's a real benefit. Maybe it's not enough, but you know, I'm appalled by the way you speak because it was your government that hurt veterans the most in the history of this country.
Now I would like to ask a question. Thank you to the witnesses for coming here to this committee. Thank you for your service, and for your work for veterans and for the country. I have one question. I understand from your remarks that what is proposed is a step in the right direction. It's not enough. What would you advise us as members of Parliament? Should we pass the legislation? Of course, this is a step. It's an incremental change, but would you advise us to vote for it and pass it as quickly as possible so the veterans can receive what is proposed and then look for improvements, or would you ask us to scrap it? This is for both of you.