Veterans Affairs Committee on Nov. 25th, 2020

[Deanna Fimrite]

Sure.

The Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada is really structured in exactly the same way as the Royal Canadian Legion. We have a national Dominion Command; then in the provinces we have provincial commands, and then locally we have units. Although everybody is independent, the members are part of their local units; those local units are under the jurisdiction of the provincial command, and everybody is under the jurisdiction of the Dominion Command. We all do relatively separate things though.

There are local supports for veterans and members within the units. Provincial commands deal more with provincial governments. Then at the federal level, the majority of my work is working with Veterans Affairs and advocating for better services and benefits.

[Sean Casey, Liberal, Charlottetown, PE]

Here's what I would like to understand. We heard from Ms. Brimson and Mr. Gimblett, both of whom have heritage buildings they're trying to maintain and both of whom have been negatively impacted, and yet they're independent. Are they able to make a pitch to you for some of that $1 million that was sent to you by the federal government in the most recent legislation, or does their independence preclude them from accessing that?

[Deanna Fimrite]

My understanding of the program is that they would apply directly to the veterans organizations emergency support fund for funding for themselves. Associations like the Royal Canadian Legion and ANAVETS applied for all of our units, whereas other individual units of other organizations could apply for themselves, and they have held back money to assist those organizations as well.

[Sean Casey, Liberal, Charlottetown, PE]

In your testimony you indicated that about 25% of your member chapters were significantly adversely affected. Is that $1 million going to help them?

[Deanna Fimrite]

All of the money we receive from the government will go to help our local units. There won't be any money kept at the Dominion level at all.

Certainly my testimony was that in June, about a quarter of our units had some serious concerns about how they would pay their bills. In September that seemed to have gotten a lot worse, and now we're in November and more and more of our units are facing closures. Certainly, I believe the need is going to be there from our units to utilize all of this money to help them keep their doors open.

[Sean Casey, Liberal, Charlottetown, PE]

You indicated that 40% of your units were not eligible for the Canada emergency business account. Can I take it from that, that 60% were eligible?

[Deanna Fimrite]

Yes, I would probably agree with that. I know that some units were eligible and did not apply, but certainly a number of our units have definitely received that funding and have used it to help keep their doors open and their programs running.

[Sean Casey, Liberal, Charlottetown, PE]

Ms. Brimson, I noticed on your website that one of your major partners is the new horizons for seniors program. Can you tell us a bit about the relationship between your wing and that seniors program?

[Linda Brimson]

Yes. In the past, over some years, we have received grant money from new horizons, but nothing recently.

We had to pay over $20,000 for a new roof. We weren't successful getting any grants for that. We have written grant proposals because we need a vertical lift within our building so that people can come from another part of it to access washrooms and refreshment areas. So yes, we'll use and we continue to source any grants.

There is a Royal Air Force Association national trust. We are affiliated with them, but the money goes one way. We contribute to them. Anybody wishing to get a tax receipt has to go through them or the Health Canada site and the—

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

Thank you. I'm sorry I have to interrupt.

We're way over the time. Hopefully we'll be able to come back to you so you can finish your thought.

MP Desilets, you have six minutes, please.

[Luc Desilets, Bloc, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

Hello, everyone.

Mr. Gaboriault, I thank you for your years of service in the Canadian Forces, and I salute your courage. Thank you for appearing before us. What you said earlier touched me very much.

Since you did not have time to complete your testimony, I would like you to tell us more about your experience with the release process.

Did you get any training at the end of your service? How did it go in your case?

Did it meet your expectations?

[Max Gaboriault]

Yes. I went back to school.

It's really been a long time since I spoke French.

Bear with me.

[Luc Desilets, Bloc, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

You can speak in English. Your words are interpreted automatically. Please feel comfortable.

[Max Gaboriault]

It's not a problem.

I went back to university, and I obtained a road construction and heavy vehicle driver's certificate.

I also obtained my Class 1 licence, since I had worked with heavy machinery throughout my career. I discussed it with my wife and we determined that it was probably a good choice. It wasn't. I tried to work in civil society, but it didn't work out. My social reintegration was a total failure. Eventually it was recognized that I had a diminished earning capacity, or DEC, I think—the names change every month. I'm staying at home now. It was an appropriate choice.

[Luc Desilets, Bloc, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

When you left the military, was there a three-day training session, for example, to prepare you and direct you to available services and programs?

[Max Gaboriault]

Yes. It was a long time ago, so I almost didn't remember. There was a seminar offered by the Second Career Assistance Network (SCAN) program.

Honestly, the process of leaving the Canadian Forces rests on the shoulders of the individual, who often suffers from after-effects. In my case, it was my brain that was damaged, and I didn't know it. I had only had a mental assessment. Obviously, from that perspective, it was a total failure in terms of social reintegration.

The task of determining what we're going to do after our military career rests solely on our shoulders. I spent 30% of my life in the military. When I came out, I didn't fit into society at all. I'm sorry, I forgot what I was talking about.

[Luc Desilets, Bloc, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

This answers my question and confirms some of the testimonials that are circulating.

I've never been in the military and I don't know your background, but what I do understand, from what you and other veterans have said, is that your release from the forces is not necessarily the best time in your life to learn or acquire knowledge related to what is ahead of you.

Am I mistaken?

[Max Gaboriault]

No.

I'd just like to clarify something. I had to find a doctor myself and learn how the entire health care system works. What helped was that when my wife became pregnant while I was stationed in Edmonton, it was a crash course in the civilian health care system for me. The military system is completely different. It's much more efficient. I was very surprised to see how it worked in civilian society, if only to go to a doctor.

I hope I've answered your question.

[Luc Desilets, Bloc, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

Yes, perfectly.

You were in the army for 13 years, if I understood correctly.

How long has it been since you left?

[Max Gaboriault]

I left the forces in July 2014.

[Luc Desilets, Bloc, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

In your case, do you feel that you are receiving all the services needed for your health condition?

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

You have thirty seconds, please.

[Max Gaboriault]

No, but I'll probably talk about that when I answer the next questions.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

Excellent. Thank you very much.

[Luc Desilets, Bloc, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

We can't hear, Mr. Chair.