Veterans Affairs Committee on June 5th, 2017

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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?

[Michael Missal]

That's very fair to say, yes.

[Bob Bratina, Liberal, Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, ON]

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

[Michael Missal]

There are hundreds of investigations at any one time.

[Bob Bratina, Liberal, Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, ON]

Right. Well, thank you so much.

Those are my questions, Mr. Chair.

[Michael Missal]

It was my pleasure.

[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]