Thank you, Chair.
Thank you, Minister, for being here.
As noted in your opening remarks, the bulk of the estimates funds for VAC are benefit payments for supports that go directly to veterans for a variety of programs.
I think we all remember when Conservatives obstructed the estimates process last year with a marathon of votes, voting against, I think, every single program and every single penny of investment. If we fast-forward a year, we see that not much has changed, as they're paralyzing the House and preventing the advancement of key legislation while voting against a tax cut for all Canadians.
Can you tell us why it's so important that we pass the estimates? What are the impacts of these benefits?