Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Thank you very much to the witnesses appearing in front of the committee.
I have a question for you. I served in Afghanistan, so I'm a veteran, but that doesn't make too much difference. But according to the universality of service principles, the members of the regular armed forces must be fit for deployment at all times and in any location where military operations are under way. If any disability prevents a member from being deployed abroad with his or her unit, the member must be considered essential for military solidarity.
So with public servants.... For example, there is the Treasury Board policy on the duty to accommodate persons with disabilities in the federal public service, and this applies for all federal public servants whose employer is the Treasury Board. This policy guarantees that the employer will take all necessary measures to keep the employee with a disability in his or her position. Members of the regular force are excluded from this policy because it would conflict with the universality of service principle.
Do you believe the difference between these two principles should result in different compensation and support programs for injured individuals? And how, in your opinion, is the new Veterans Charter addressing this issue, and what would be your recommendation to improve the new Veterans Charter?