It's a new fund. I don't think it's possible to comment on its long-term benefits because we haven't seen what it has achieved. But in terms of the promise that it was offering with respect to providing active support to veterans and their families and the types of issues it was looking to support research on—suicide prevention and homeless veterans—we believe we had an initiative that would certainly be responsive to our veterans and acknowledge the contributions they have made in international peace operations. I think the fact that we are and continue to be deemed ineligible for that deprives our veterans of the opportunity to share and appreciate their status as veterans—because they indeed are veterans. I think in some respects it cheapens or devalues the contributions they have made. I believe there is value that can come of that. We know that the organizations that have been supported by it are doing outstanding work. I'm grateful that the fund has been established. I wish the RCMP would be eligible for it. I hope the minister will be sympathetic to that view.
On February 4th, 2019. See this statement in context.