When is the last time Veterans Affairs ever underwent a full-on audit as far as effectiveness, etc.? Again, back in 2000, General Dallaire, I and other members of the committee recommended a quality assurance program so that all these programs and the people who are implementing them are reviewed and recommendations are made for improvement.
Part of the problem, to be quite frank, is that Veterans Affairs ministers come and go fairly frequently. The issue with regard to changing the monolith of Veterans Affairs is actually the bureaucrats. They truly hold the power. Although this committee and the minister can suggest things, the implementation is done by the administrators. Unless there's clear will, they can outwait people. The next thing you know, you have another minister in place.
I think that's a disservice to veterans. We need some level of continuity so that there is political will that is enduring over a period of time to implement changes. A quality assurance program would go a long way to looking at all of these issues.