Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Minister, first of all, let me thank you for recognizing the work of the dedicated public servants who have increased the level of efficiency in such difficult circumstances and who are doing yeoman's service to address the backlog.
Minister, I want to give you a fair chance to answer, without being interrupted, on the topic that Ms. Wagantall raised. In your opening remarks, you talked about the fact that this year's estimates are a billion dollars higher than last year's, but they're $2 billion higher than 2014-15. I found it interesting that you chose that year because, as you know, the former ministers of veterans affairs in 2014-15 were Julian Fantino and Erin O'Toole.
Here we are, looking at estimates that are $2 billion higher than what they were then. You and I both remember well the situation within the Department of Veterans Affairs: the deep cuts that preceded that, the fact that the cuts outside of the national capital region were significantly higher or significantly deeper and, of course, the closing of the district offices and the like.
While in your opening remarks you did talk about where the $1 billion in additional funding is coming from for next year, I wonder if you could talk about the $2 billion from the days of ministers Fantino and O'Toole up to now, where that is coming from and the difference that's making in the lives of veterans.
Thank you.