Veterans Affairs Committee on Feb. 15th, 2018

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

Where are we in that analysis?

[BGen Mark Misener]

I'm not the lead on it, so I can't really comment other than to say that it is ongoing.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

That would solve some of our challenges in reporting, for sure.

Here is another question. During the reassignment to the JPSU, can members continue to pursue rewarding activities within the CAF despite their medical conditions?

[BGen Mark Misener]

Thank you for the question. Absolutely yes; in fact, that's what we want. When our members come to the JPSU, our aim is to return them to duty as quickly as possible. We treat them based on their medical limitations. That's what we try to do.

Ideally, we would return them to the unit they came from, because that's the environment they're most comfortable in. It's all driven by their medical employment limitations. Again, we don't know the medical details; we just know their limitations.

We try to employ them within those limitations to get them back to work as soon as possible. Research has shown—Dr. Pedlar was here talking about it—that the sooner somebody returns to work, the more likely it is that they will recover and be able to return to work in the future.

[The Chair, Liberal, Neil Ellis]

Thank you.

Ms. Wagantall is next.

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

Thank you, Chair.

Mr. Misener, I'm trying to understand this. The transition group that is being planned is your third priority and is within JPSU. I'm sensing, then, that there's going to be a very specific focus on those who are transitioning out—that it may have been just part of a bigger picture before, but that this is a much more focused look at that side of your responsibilities.

[BGen Mark Misener]

Yes, ma'am. Really, the essence is not just taking care of the JPSU, which is focused on the ill and injured folks releasing from the Canadian Armed Forces, but being responsible overall for all of the members of the Canadian Armed Forces who are releasing, so that we implement a standard transition process such that everyone has the benefits that the JPSU gives to the most ill and injured.

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

Can you tell me what portion of your $22 million would be focused on that part of your priorities?

[BGen Mark Misener]

At this point, ma'am, we're still undergoing planning. I don't have further details on it.

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

You indicated that professional support means a transition group that is adequately resourced, with personnel in place who are properly trained. There are three major goals there that are very well outlined.

What processes will you be putting in place to ensure that you're actually meeting those requirements? Will there be a means of determining whether you're succeeding or failing very specifically in specific areas? Is that going to be a priority?

[BGen Mark Misener]

To answer your question, ma'am, yes, we will put performance measures in place. I would just underline, though, that similar to the case with Veterans Affairs, when people come into their job, they receive initial training to do that job. Every year, obviously, depending on their role, we bring them in to do annual training as well. Then on top of that, we continue to do professional development.

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

I'm not questioning the quality of the people you're bringing in or suggesting that you wouldn't be training them, but in any scenario you have to measure not just the programs but the effectiveness of the people doing them. I was constantly working through that process in the work I did, in which I sat down and said, “You're doing great here, but not here”, and “We expect to see changes there.”

Okay, thanks.

You also mentioned that there are vacancies to be filled—about 10%—and I can certainly appreciate that. Is there a plan to incorporate veterans themselves into these roles?

[BGen Mark Misener]

Yes, ma'am. As I said, my organization already has a number of veterans working in it. Our senior person in an IPSC, the service manager, is almost everywhere, if not everywhere, a retired Canadian Armed Forces member. There are numerous other civilian employees who are previous Canadian Armed Forces members.

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

That's great.

As you're creating this program, I understand that it's going to take some effort on certain people's behalf to determine what it is going to look like.

[BGen Mark Misener]

Yes, ma'am.

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

You've heard the name Barry Westholm. He came to our committee. He provided a great deal of information on JPSUs. He comes across as pretty tough, but he's very passionate.

Have you considered at least sitting down at a table with him and discussing some of the recommendations? I know that you've incorporated moving up the priority level from a six to a two; that's something that was very important to him. Will you be sitting down with him to discuss some of the concerns that he has?

[BGen Mark Misener]

We endeavour to work with all partners and stakeholders—

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

Is that a yes?

[BGen Mark Misener]

—to try to improve our programs wherever people want to support us and improve—

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

That's fine. I would just really recommend it, and I think it would encourage veterans for you to do so.

I have one more quick question that any of you can answer. On our summaries from the Library of Parliament there's an indication that a transition interview...gives members an opportunity to request a copy of their medical file, which can help accelerate the processing of applications for financial benefits and services. Once members are released, it is more difficult for them to obtain access to this information quickly, as medical files must be stripped of any third-party information and [be] provided to VAC rather than directly to members.

I see this as a huge chasm in processing veterans efficiently. I don't understand why their medical files are accessible to them while they're still in the Canadian Armed Forces, and yet they have to go through this huge process when they come out. Can they not simply sign a form and say, “I'm good with this; you have the freedom to release my information”?

[Mark Roy, Acting Director, Case Management and Support Services , Department of Veterans Affairs]

Just to clarify, for access to their health records they can definitely submit a request while they're in the forces to their health services unit to get a copy of the file. The information must still be redacted in accordance with the Privacy Act. When they leave the military, they can still request their health information from the CAF; it's just a slightly different process.

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

My understanding is that you can't request more than 10 pages at a time. Is that accurate?

[Mark Roy]

I would have to confirm that with the Canadian Forces health services.

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

I would like to know the answer.

[Mark Roy]

From my understanding, they can actually request it.

For the comment you made about its going to Veterans Affairs, it's usually because they're applying for a benefit and we are requesting the file from the Canadian Forces on behalf of the member.