It's really easy for us to sit here and just destroy or eviscerate VAC; that is not what any of us wants to do. When somebody says they want to join the military, I say “what a beautiful career”. I've been all over the world several times in both directions, and now the pay is good, but that is not a motivator. You need to know that someone has your back. We have a patch in veterans and it says “ IGY6—I Got Your 6”. Now, I know that I can phone somebody at four o'clock in the morning, because they're going to have my back; they're going to have my 6. That's what you need. Yes, it is not prestige or status—and it's also affecting the RCMP very dramatically. They need to know somebody cares if they make it to the end of their watch, and then the end of their shift, and then the end of their career, and then in retirement. Applicants right from the get-go need to know that somebody has their back, has their 6, other than just fellow veterans.
On March 22nd, 2021. See this statement in context.