Evidence of meeting #64 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 system.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Gary Walbourne  Ombudsman, National Defence and Canadian Forces Ombudsman
Robyn Hynes  Director General, Operations, National Defence and Canadian Forces Ombudsman
Guy Parent  Veterans Ombudsman, Office of the Veterans Ombudsman
Sharon Squire  Deputy Veterans Ombudsman, Executive Director, Office of the Veterans Ombudsman

10:40 a.m.

Veterans Ombudsman, Office of the Veterans Ombudsman

Guy Parent

It's a good question. I believe that's why Veterans Affairs has gone to contract with Vets Canada, so that they're there instantly and across the country. Within minutes, if they're called, they can have somebody there and they have a boots-on-the-ground program. They do that on a consistent basis.

That's one of the ways they can do that. I think in the past, one of the challenges has been the emergency funds because a lot of times people need money right away and it was an administrative nightmare to try to get money out of the emergency fund. Now at least, I think the last budget brought in some emergency funding that will be more accessible, with a lot less administrative burden.

10:45 a.m.

NDP

Irene Mathyssen NDP London—Fanshawe, ON

That's encouraging because this problem has been downloaded and downloaded and I think it should be taken up by those who are responsible. Clearly, it's a federal responsibility.

My last question concerns supports for families. Are they enough now? Do they get the kind of health, financial, and emotional supports they need? Have we done—

10:45 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Neil Ellis

Sorry. We'll have to get that answer emailed back to us, please. We've run out of time for the room here and we have another meeting after.

Our clerk can get the questions back to you, if you didn't have a chance to copy them all. On behalf of all of the committee, I would like to thank both of you for all that you have done and continue to do for our men and women who have served.

With that, I'd like to call a motion to adjourn.

(Motion agreed to)