Veterans Affairs Committee on Sept. 26th, 2024

[Rachel Blaney, NDP, North Island—Powell River, BC]

Thank you.

My question for you now is about the process you're going through. You found out your husband was very ill and would not live for a very long time, and it is related to the service he provided to his country. I'm assuming you had a conversation with VAC about what the options are for you moving forward.

During that period of time, were there any emotional supports offered to you and your husband to have that discussion? One of the things I've noticed about the service is that there are a lot of good people, but they may not have that higher level of trauma-informed service delivery. It seems to me that if you're in that space of suddenly having to take on the possible death of your husband sooner than you ever expected due to a serious illness, and then you're looking at options and you're not sure which one is the best fit....

Was there any support for you and your husband during that time that dealt with how you were processing all of that trauma and grief and trying to face reality in that context?

[Joanne Kimm]

We were offered the chance to speak with a social worker. I took up their offer, because sometimes it's easier to speak to someone outside of the family, and they have a different perspective on things. The emotional support was offered.

My husband chose not to take it. He's just stubborn. However, he and I have chatted. It's difficult for some family members to speak about their internal grief, because everyone grieves differently—and we are grieving now. It's hard to open up to that. It's also hard to ask for that help from Veterans Affairs. However, it has been offered to us.

[Rachel Blaney, NDP, North Island—Powell River, BC]

What do you think would have made it easier for you to accept that help?

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Blake Richards]

We'll have to make that a really quick response. We're actually over time, but we'll let you give a quick response.

[Joanne Kimm]

Just offering it to us is important. I think providing the information to us is important, as well. If you don't know what's out there, you don't know whom to ask.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Blake Richards]

Thank you very much.

We'll go to our third round now. It's back to five-minute rounds. It will be Cathay Wagantall from the Conservative Party for the next five minutes.

[Cathay Wagantall, Conservative, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

Thank you very much, Chair.

Joanne, thank you for being here today.

I appreciate the circumstances you're in. I've been on this committee for nine years now. I'm into my ninth year. Believe me, in my own circle of veterans, there are many who have experienced what you are experiencing at this point in time. I have deep feelings about that. One was definitely in the same circumstance as you. Of course, her husband wanted her to have that care level. He has passed away.

I think it's very important that we look at the fact that many veterans are well cared for and happy. We have 400,000-plus in this country, and many are well taken care of by Veterans Affairs. However, we have a certain cohort who seem to face constant challenges. They are listening today and, of course, cheering on your being here and your purpose. However, when they hear things like a caseworker coming to your home, or you having had time with the minister.... You've been offered things and provided with information that is not the norm for all veterans. What you mentioned about the need for a liaison officer has been brought up often in this place. I can't agree more with your thinking on that. It certainly says something of importance.

Can you share with us a round figure for the difference between what your husband is currently receiving through these various programs versus what you will receive for pain and suffering when he passes away? What kind of change is that to your family income?

[Joanne Kimm]

Monetary-wise, it will be significant. I don't have a—

[Cathay Wagantall, Conservative, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

Just give a broad number. I'm not expecting details. I understand what Mr. Casey said.

[Joanne Kimm]

I would have to go through some of the paperwork. Actually, I was looking for the letter outlining it. It's at least about.... I want to say $1,500, perhaps.

[Cathay Wagantall, Conservative, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

That's fair. Thank you.

I had a veteran just yesterday who reached out because he went to the VAC office. It wasn't in my riding. I'm from Saskatchewan. Ontario, of course, is across the country. He went, and there was no one there. He called and there was no answer. Basically, there was a notice that you could have a meeting, but you'd have to set up an appointment and then they would reach out to you. He found this very disconcerting. When you think that, across the country, there are many offices.... The idea is that when you have concerns or needs, they should be available to answer your questions.

Did you face that at all? How did you get in touch with Veterans Affairs? Was it through your Legion? Was it through an office? How were you able to navigate?

[Joanne Kimm]

It was a bit of both. I called the 1-800 number often.

[Cathay Wagantall, Conservative, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

Okay.

[Joanne Kimm]

I was able to connect with someone.

[Cathay Wagantall, Conservative, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

How long does that take?

[Joanne Kimm]

It's been fairly quick, actually. I haven't had any issues with the 1-800 number.

[Cathay Wagantall, Conservative, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

It's mostly by reaching out through the number.

[Joanne Kimm]

Yes.

[Cathay Wagantall, Conservative, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

That's fair enough.

I'd like to make sure you understand how this works. We're pleased to have you here today. At the same time, in discussion, there are many others who I think could offer testimony in this circumstance. As a committee, our role is to study specific issues or policies. What we do is come up with recommendations, which then go to the minister. It is the minister who responds to our recommendations and determines which ones they would like to consider.

I am concerned about the fact that you had two meetings with the minister and she could not effect change. This indicates, I think, an imbalance between the role of the minister versus the deputy minister and the folks who run that. I would go back to the minister and see whether she could encourage a study on this issue, because it's true that it's very hard to make sudden changes to circumstances. I appreciate that you want long-term change, but you are also asking for a difference in your family's life. I applaud you for your efforts. However, I know that, in certain circumstances, suddenly, this can happen for some. This has happened with the critical injury benefit. There are rules and regulations around how it's processed and used. Then, all of a sudden, it is used differently, so—

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Blake Richards]

We're out of time. I don't know if there was anything the witness wanted to respond to there.

[Joanne Kimm]

No.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Blake Richards]

Okay, no problem.

Thank you, Mrs. Wagantall.

Now we'll go to the Liberal Party and Wilson Miao for five minutes.

[Wilson Miao, Liberal, Richmond Centre, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mrs. Kimm, for being here and appearing before the committee.

I'd like to offer you some more time, since I'll be the last person who will be asking you some questions, to share with the committee your point of view. You mentioned how a lot of the benefits programs are not known, and therefore it is not known where and how to apply for them.

Can you share with us your view of what kind of system you feel would be helpful in your circumstance and to those who are listening and experiencing the same issue?

[Joanne Kimm]

As I mentioned before, I feel it would be so helpful if there was a veterans liaison office that reached out to veterans to talk to them about their circumstances and then go through the benefits available to them that they may not know about. As I mentioned, we didn't know about the clothing allowance. It sounds minimal, but it was available. The only way I knew about it was because it was brought up by the Veterans Affairs staff.

Proactively reaching out to veterans and their families would also help them understand their family situation to see what other programs or benefits could be available to them. Otherwise, as I mentioned, Veterans Affairs is a very demand-driven office. Unless you know what you're asking for, you don't know what's available.

[Wilson Miao, Liberal, Richmond Centre, BC]

I understand that, during the pandemic, a lot of the Veterans Affairs offices were closed, and even before that, a few of the offices were closed, which affected the quality of service to our veterans.

Hearing from you, it seems like having a liaison officer and having them be proactive in being there in person and listening to the stories of the veterans and understanding their circumstances to see what could be helpful to them would be really important.

Is there any other recommendation or suggestion you would put forward to us so that when we draft the report of this study, it can also support any future veterans who are going through hard times like you are?