Evidence of meeting #56 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 benefits.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Robert Reynolds  Deputy Under Secretary, Disability Assistance, United States Department of Veterans Affairs
Michael Missal  Inspector General, Office of Inspector General of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs

5:40 p.m.

Inspector General, Office of Inspector General of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs

Michael Missal

It's pretty much the same thing to investigate. When I was in the private practice of law, I looked at lots of industries, including the health care industry, and you become an expert on whatever the various topic is. I did have to learn about VA in particular, but that learning curve I thought went very well. I'm learning every day. It's such a massive organization. I don't know if anybody really knows everything at that organization.

5:40 p.m.

Liberal

Bob Bratina Liberal Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, ON

That's our situation. That's why it's great to have the witness testimony we're hearing.

The other thing is, whether it's with law firms or other companies that you looked at in the past, there is this heartfelt connection to the veterans themselves, which makes it perhaps more important and vital to get to the solutions.

5:40 p.m.

Inspector General, Office of Inspector General of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs

Michael Missal

I couldn't agree with you more. Our staff, our folks, are very dedicated and committed to our work, because we realize that the better the job we do, the better the services veterans will receive, and they so richly deserve them.

5:40 p.m.

Liberal

Bob Bratina Liberal Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, ON

Well, the public may have an assumption that we in Canada and you in the United States care for our veterans, but we have to make sure, as you do in your investigative process, that we're uncovering the real story to make sure that the services promised are being delivered in a humane and meaningful way. I really appreciate the inspector general's role in all of this. I imagine you have a lot of investigations going on at any one time. Is that fair to say?

5:40 p.m.

Inspector General, Office of Inspector General of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs

Michael Missal

That's very fair to say, yes.

5:40 p.m.

Liberal

Bob Bratina Liberal Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, ON

I won't ask you about any more of them, but—

5:40 p.m.

Inspector General, Office of Inspector General of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs

Michael Missal

There are hundreds of investigations at any one time.

5:40 p.m.

Liberal

Bob Bratina Liberal Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, ON

Right. Well, thank you so much.

Those are my questions, Mr. Chair.

5:40 p.m.

Inspector General, Office of Inspector General of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs

Michael Missal

It was my pleasure.

5:40 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Neil Ellis

This ends the round of questioning.

I'd like to thank you, Mr. Missal, on behalf of the committee, for taking time out of your busy schedule today. Thank you for participating in trying to help us with the issues we have. It was a pleasure.

The committee was in Washington a couple of weeks ago. Again, thank you to all the people in your department who hosted us at that time.

We will suspend for about five minutes, and then we'll come back in camera and go into the report.

[Proceedings continue in camera]