Evidence of meeting #13 for Veterans Affairs in the 42nd Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was black.
A recording is available from Parliament.
National President, Veterans Canada
This has happened since a year ago last February. Veterans are having difficulties having their prescriptions filled.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Neil Ellis
Okay.
Perhaps I could ask the other two members, Mr. Black or Mr. Thibeau, if you've had any instances in your groups with getting prescriptions and medications through VAC's program.
President, Aboriginal Veterans Autochtones
Because of my parachuting activities and other things, I've certainly got a few bumps and bruises, but I'm extremely well looked after.
There was a case when something was denied, and while I was standing there I was adamant that the prescription was what I needed, because it was sanctioned before, but for the most part it has been very good.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Neil Ellis
Mr. Black, could you comment on that quickly? Have there been any problems for Korean vets that you know of?
President, Unit 7, Korea Veterans Association of Canada
I've never experienced any problems or known of any, and none have been reported.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Neil Ellis
Thank you.
What we'll do now is give each group two minutes to wrap up. Then we're going in camera. You can take the whole two minutes or not, so go from there.
We'll start with Mr. Leonardo.
National President, Veterans Canada
Thank you very much for having me here today. As I said in my opening, I hope that this time some of the information I pass on actually makes it to serving the veterans and delivering services that they need.
Once again, I say hello to all those new members of this committee. I look forward to working with you in the future.
President, Aboriginal Veterans Autochtones
Once again I'd like to thank the committee—the new committee, as Mr. Leonardo mentioned. It's a new committee, and a new broom sweeps clean.
It appears to me that things are moving in the right direction. Although there may have been a lot of negative comments that came from the summit, personally, as a former member of the military for many years and now as a veteran, I look at it as being very positive that we sat in a room as veterans having a voice directly with the minister and the deputy minister.
I think that was an important step, because it tells me that veterans will now have a say in some of the policy-making decisions that the committee will be asked to work on.
I look forward to the future too.
President, Aboriginal Veterans Autochtones
Again, don't ask me to stand in front of a camera. I won't do it, because I'm a no party guy—I mean, no affiliation party guy—but I certainly respect the work that all of you do, and for the sake of our group, I hope that your good work continues.
Thank you.
President, Unit 7, Korea Veterans Association of Canada
Thank you very much.
This is my first time in this room. I really didn't know of its existence until last week. I'm representing the national president of the Korea Veterans Association, who couldn't make it here today.
I want to mention that we're all accustomed to going to Billings Bridge for Veterans Affairs, where we can open our files and review all of the letters and correspondence and get immediate answers. I can understand now the chagrin that Bob is voicing here on behalf of outlying communities. Hopefully, perhaps something can be done about that, Bob.
Again, thank you very much for having me here. I appreciate the good questions. I don't know if the answers were all good, but the questions were.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Neil Ellis
On behalf of the committee, I would like to thank all three of you and your organizations for what you do for the men and women who have served. Please continue your great work in helping our veterans.
Right now we will go to a five-minute adjournment and come back in camera. Process-wise, one staff per MP and one member from the whip's office are allowed in camera.
Again, thank you very much for attending and taking the time to be here today.
[Proceedings continue in camera]