Veterans Affairs Committee on June 12th, 2019

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

—because we want to make sure that the—

[Cathay Wagantall, Conservative, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

Will the veterans health centre be included in that as well? There's also a memorandum of agreement there and it's being handed over to New Brunswick.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

We want to make sure, on the Ste. Anne's first—if you want me to answer—that they get the proper care, and we're going to make sure that happens. We have to have the facts first.

[Cathay Wagantall, Conservative, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

Okay.

Will that report be provided to the committee, please?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

Pardon...?

[Cathay Wagantall, Conservative, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

Will that be provided to the committee, please—the results of that report—and also in regard to the veterans health centre in Moncton, yes or no?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

First of all, we have to find out the facts and what we're going to do—

[Cathay Wagantall, Conservative, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

I think if you create a memorandum of agreement and promise veterans that they are going to continue to have care in those places, the government should be making sure that the province and the health care system there are being accountable.

Again, we can talk about the pension program. The Parliamentary Budget Officer has made it clear that there are discrepancies between what has been promised and what has happened with the new pension for life.

Medric Cousineau, as well, has indicated that there are many, especially the most needy, who are ending up with less, losing an amount equivalent to $300,000. Sammy Sampson, with the Rwanda vets of Canada, has come up with a very amazing tool called a “pension disparity calculator”. It's based entirely on the government's data for computer use, and it's being shared with veterans across Canada.

You've heard about this disparity. Will this disparity be fixed quickly and what is the timeline?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

First of all, the well-being and security of veterans is our major priority.

The fact is that the Prime Minister indicated in the House...and the department is reviewing this very carefully to make sure there is nobody who gets less. We will make sure that every veteran receives more than they did under the previous government. That is what will take place. We have to get the facts—

[Cathay Wagantall, Conservative, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

When? Because this rolled out in April—

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

At the moment, right now—

[Cathay Wagantall, Conservative, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

When?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

If you ask me a question, I have to be able to answer it.

The fact is, you asked me a question—

[Cathay Wagantall, Conservative, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

When?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

When? Right now, we're looking at it—

[Cathay Wagantall, Conservative, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

Okay. Good. Thank you.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

—but you don't get the answer right now. What are we trying to do is get the facts.

[Cathay Wagantall, Conservative, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

Sir, I want to know as well, with all of the 40,000 backlog, there was an increase moving up towards April 1, because there were a lot of individuals who were very concerned that when this pension came in.... As we can see, for the career impact allowance and its supplement, they have not qualified and that's where they're losing.

For anyone who has applied already, even though they're in a backlog, they should be able to get the funding they deserve in that regard, even though it's ending up that because there's a backlog in the department they weren't processed prior to April 1.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

We will make sure that anybody who receives this funding will have more financial security than they had under the previous government. That's a commitment.

[Cathay Wagantall, Conservative, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

Okay. Thank you.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

That will take place. That's why I was trying to tell you that we're evaluating the situation right now. I have directed my department to do so.

[Cathay Wagantall, Conservative, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

Okay. That's good to hear. They'll be watching for that, then. I appreciate that.

You've mentioned in regard to case managers that there were not enough case managers when you came into government.

[The Chair, Liberal, Neil Ellis]

Thank you.

Sir, we're out of time. Can you answer that in 30 seconds, please?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

Yes. We were down to less than 200—

[Cathay Wagantall, Conservative, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

The Conservatives had already committed funding for 400 more in their budget.