Veterans Affairs Committee on Dec. 2nd, 2024

[Steven Harris]

Mr. Adams, would you answer that question?

[Jonathan Adams]

Yes, thank you.

As highlighted, the core of the supplementary estimates is to support the significant increase we continue to receive in applications from veterans for disability compensation and support. In addition to that, it is also veterans then seeking additional income support and rehabilitation support.

With these estimates here, what we've seen is an increase of over 15,000 veterans applying for disability benefits and programs. These estimates are absolutely critical to providing the ongoing funding and support for veterans to access those programs for disability compensation, income support and rehabilitation. Without the approval of these estimates, we would then not be able to support all veterans who come forward with a need for income support, rehabilitation, or health or disability compensation.

[Sean Casey, Liberal, Charlottetown, PE]

Thank you.

Can someone before us here today give us an update on where we are with respect to backlogs? I know that's been a major effort on the part of the department for some time now. I wonder if you could give us an update on where that stands.

[Steven Harris]

The current figure that I have to share is as of September 30, when those files beyond our service standard, meaning longer than 16 weeks, numbered 6,246. That's a reduction of 72% since 2020.

[Sean Casey, Liberal, Charlottetown, PE]

Thank you, Mr. Harris.

What about digital solutions to streamline processes? Can you let us know where that stands? I know that was another one you were working on that went hand in hand with the backlog issue.

[Steven Harris]

Just as an example, we're always looking for ways to improve benefits and services delivery and applications processing, not only for our staff but also, of course, for veterans.

I'll give you an example of something like VAC Healthshare, which we put online just a little while ago. It's now a year or so. It allows for certain categories of medical professionals to be able to upload and share sensitive, confidential, secure health information related to applications that veterans may be putting in. That allows them to get information to us in a secure way, in a quick way, and overall it allows us to reduce processing times.

We're always looking at opportunities for that kind of work to reduce the burden on veterans and reduce the burden on medical professionals, or ultimately on our staff, so that we can get to decisions more quickly.

[Sean Casey, Liberal, Charlottetown, PE]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

Thank you very much, Mr. Casey.

I will now give the floor to the second vice-chair of the committee, Mr. Desilets.

I would also like to inform Mr. Desilets and Ms. Blaney that in view of the time, they will have only six minutes each, so I suggest they make the most of them.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Harris, I would like to come back to the issue of the backlog. It is all very well that the backlog has been reduced by 72% as compared to 2022, but what percentage of applications is the department managing to respond to within the time allowed, at present?

[Steven Harris]

The 16‑week response rate is around 60%.

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

Have you set targets, or do you plan to put in place, or modify, ways of doing things so these times can be reduced?

[Steven Harris]

I am going to give you somewhat the same answer as I gave another member of the committee a little earlier. We are still looking for ways to facilitate the process, both for applications and for decision-making. However, we are seeing a big increase in the number of applications. Every year, we get 10% more applications. Even though we are very productive, responding to all of the applications is still a big challenge.

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

I understand.

I don't have a lot of time, so I will move on to my next question.

Can you give us the current figures showing the response time for applications submitted in French, as compared to applications submitted in English?

[Steven Harris]

The current figures show a difference of 0.4 weeks. The response time is 19.5 weeks for applications in English and 19.1 weeks for applications in French.

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

We are not going to let up on that, Mr. Harris.

[Steven Harris]

It is not far off being equal.

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

I have to say the figures are very similar.

Mr. Harris, there is some information in particular that I would really like to get, and it would be nice if you could provide it to us. I am not asking that you provide it today, but you could send it to the clerk. I would like you to give us a concrete picture of benefits in the following categories: mental health, pain and suffering, and support for veterans' families. I would like to know what percentage of benefits is currently being paid in each of these various categories, as compared to how things stood a year ago. For example, I would like to see whether there has been exponential growth in mental health and where things stand for family support. If it were possible to get that information, we would be able to do comparative mini‑studies.

[Steven Harris]

We will see whether it is possible. Putting together a picture of veterans is a big ask, but we will do whatever we can.

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

Right. If it were possible, we could then see where energy should be directed in future.

Mr. Freeman, you are very probably aware of the study we have underway relating to Indigenous and black veterans. It has required a lot of our time and we are still working on it. In that study, Indigenous witnesses have told us that when they live outside major centres, which is very common, they have to drive two hours to get help, and then drive two hours back again.

Does the present budget provide additional funds that would make it possible to go and meet these people where they live, or get closer to them somehow?

[Mitch Freeman]

Mr. Chair, I would ask Mr. Adams to chime in on any financial aspect to that.

Prior to that, I would say to the member that there are policies in place to assist veterans in travelling to medical services as part of their service-related disability conditions and the treatments that come from those. There are services available to help with travel and whatnot.

[Steven Harris]

Ms. Meunier may be able to add something about the work done by her team, which works to raise awareness among the communities concerned.

[Amy Meunier, Assistant Deputy Minister, Commemoration and Public Affairs Branch, Department of Veterans Affairs]

I'm happy to add more.

Since our indigenous veterans engagement team was stood up, we've met with close to 4,000 indigenous veterans, whether that was at larger events like powwows or annual general assemblies or in going into communities like Pabineau First Nation in New Brunswick. We are constantly engaging with individual veterans and communities to figure out how we can close gaps.

As my colleague Mr. Freeman mentioned, though, there are programs available for veterans who have to travel a distance to access benefits and services.

We're quite pleased with the work that the engagement team is doing. Through that, we're learning first-hand of the opportunities we can put in place to improve processes and programs.

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

Thank you.

I have a little question for you, Mr. Adams. Can you confirm that the budget currently allocated to benefits for veterans is fully used up?

[Jonathan Adams]

At this point the requested increase of $7.7 billion, through supplementary estimates (B), is not fully used up. This is the forecast of what we will need to support all veterans who will come forward during the fiscal year. There is still budget available for all veterans who do come forward.

[Steven Harris]

Jonathan, do you want to answer that question? Are we forecasting any kind of surplus?