Mr. Kitchen.
Evidence of meeting #99 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 research.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #99 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 research.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:20 p.m.
Conservative
Robert Gordon Kitchen Conservative Souris—Moose Mountain, SK
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you both for being here today.
Earlier, my colleague asked how long it takes to get funds from an emergency fund, and the answer was not given, or at least I didn't hear it, but it was that it takes time. How long is the process time to get the funds into the hands of the veterans?
4:20 p.m.
Area Director, Department of Veterans Affairs
Again, it's a case-by-case basis depending on the scenario. For example, if someone needed to be temporarily housed until we can look at more permanent housing, it would be immediate, which would mean—
4:20 p.m.
Conservative
Robert Gordon Kitchen Conservative Souris—Moose Mountain, SK
I understand that, sir. I do understand that, but the reality is at this point in time you've had that many people and you should have some way to figure out the average time it takes to get those funds into their hands, whether it's immediate or later.
4:20 p.m.
Area Director, Department of Veterans Affairs
Okay. Those are probably statistics that may be available. Certainly we could take that back and follow up with you. I just don't personally have the overall statistics on that.
4:20 p.m.
Conservative
Robert Gordon Kitchen Conservative Souris—Moose Mountain, SK
Thank you.
You yourself have said that over 66% of the emergency fund has already been spent, and there are five months left in the year and winter is upon us. That's when a lot of homelessness starts in certain situations. You basically have less than 34% funding to pay out for these next five months. What we're hearing, and as my colleague Mr. Johns indicated it's out there, is that people are now being pushed from VAC to other support service agencies.
As we get into this time of year, how are you going to be able to cope with helping these homeless veterans?
4:20 p.m.
Area Director, Department of Veterans Affairs
As we know, the fund has a maximum of $1 million per fiscal year. In the event it does expire—and you're right, winter is coming upon us—certainly in my area my expectation would be that we continue to utilize it in the same manner until such time as the fund expires. If it does, I will tell you, though, prior to the fund.... Like I said, we've had a wonderful relationship particularly with the Royal Canadian Legion. They've been instrumental many times in providing emergency funds. There are other assistance funds and benevolent funds that we can tap into. Those are there, certainly, in the event that the $1 million is spent by the end of the fiscal year.
You're right that with winter coming, there is that possibility. However, our staff have been utilizing those funds for years prior to the veterans emergency fund so it wouldn't be too much for us to seek assistance elsewhere, if needed.
4:20 p.m.
Conservative
Robert Gordon Kitchen Conservative Souris—Moose Mountain, SK
Thank you.
To date, do you know how many veterans in an urgent situation have been provided immediate over-the-phone support rather than being referred to a veterans assistance line?
4:20 p.m.
Area Director, Department of Veterans Affairs
I personally wouldn't have those statistics. The veterans emergency fund wouldn't necessarily fall to me as an area director. It's just something I wouldn't be able to answer.
For me, it's when there's an emergency fund that comes in, then we treat it as such. If an application comes in, we have to adjudicate on it. I wouldn't be able to have those statistics. I'm sorry.
4:20 p.m.
Conservative
Robert Gordon Kitchen Conservative Souris—Moose Mountain, SK
You have a nice poster that's been put out that is not easily accessible to veterans who are homeless because it's being sent to organizations, yet there's a number on it and when you phone that number, it's out of service.
Can you tell us why that may be or is there an avenue that needs to be checked on?
4:25 p.m.
Area Director, Department of Veterans Affairs
I didn't realize that. I'm assuming the number that's on there is our toll-free number.
4:25 p.m.
Conservative
Robert Gordon Kitchen Conservative Souris—Moose Mountain, SK
It is, but no one's answering it, after half an hour plus. That's not an emergency response.
4:25 p.m.
Area Director, Department of Veterans Affairs
Okay. That's something we could look into. I apologize. I'm not aware, and I would hope that if it's some sort of technical issue, we could fix that immediately. I haven't been aware of that.
4:25 p.m.
Conservative
4:25 p.m.
Director General, Policy and Research Division, Strategic Policy and Commemoration, Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you. It's difficult, I know, with Robert being on the phone and me by video, but thank you very much for that comment.
As I indicated in my remarks, we are sending out the poster to over 2,000 organizations. It will have our VAC assistance line on it, which is 24-7. I'm not sure what poster you're referring to and what number is on it now, but I'd be more than happy to follow up.
The intent is that it would be the 24-7 VAC assistance line that would be provided.
4:25 p.m.
Conservative
Robert Gordon Kitchen Conservative Souris—Moose Mountain, SK
That's the poster. Is that not your poster?
4:25 p.m.
Director General, Policy and Research Division, Strategic Policy and Commemoration, Department of Veterans Affairs
Yes, indeed it is. I expect that's our—
4:25 p.m.
Conservative
4:25 p.m.
Director General, Policy and Research Division, Strategic Policy and Commemoration, Department of Veterans Affairs
Yes.
4:25 p.m.
Conservative
4:25 p.m.
Director General, Policy and Research Division, Strategic Policy and Commemoration, Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you.
4:25 p.m.
Conservative
Robert Gordon Kitchen Conservative Souris—Moose Mountain, SK
On that note, on emergencies, when it comes to their situation, we have veterans who are sometimes homeless, who are suicidal and they are sitting on that cliff. They phone a suicide hotline. Again, they're being told to phone somebody else.
Our understanding was that this suicide hotline was to provide that immediate response to those veterans, instead of shunting them off to somebody else or finding them a psychologist. At that point, when they've made that call, they're on that cliff. This is an emergency hotline, and that's sad. I'm wondering if you can comment on that.
4:25 p.m.
Liberal
4:25 p.m.
Director General, Policy and Research Division, Strategic Policy and Commemoration, Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you. Would you like me to respond?