Evidence of meeting #29 for Veterans Affairs in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was going.
A recording is available from Parliament.
December 1st, 2022 / 4:30 p.m.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
Thank you very much, Chair.
I want to thank all three presenters for their information. It's very much appreciated.
I'd like to start with Mrs. Hughes for a second.
Here I'm noticing that we have a record that Alexandra Pasha from the Royal Canadian Legion was present at the department's stakeholders meeting. Do you know that person?
Acting Director, Veterans Services, National Headquarters, The Royal Canadian Legion
Yes. Alexandra is one of our employees here. She works for me.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
Are you aware that she was present at the technical briefing on November 14?
Acting Director, Veterans Services, National Headquarters, The Royal Canadian Legion
Yes. She would have been there as part of the ministry advisory groups.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
We could assume she was consulted, because she took part in the technical briefing.
Acting Director, Veterans Services, National Headquarters, The Royal Canadian Legion
I would not say she was consulted. I would see that as more of an information session. Alexa has just been working here for about six months, so—
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
Thank you for the answer.
Mr. Maxwell, I'm glad you underlined that this is not new. There have been two providers out there since 2006. Do you agree with that? I believe I heard you say that. Is that correct?
Executive Director, Wounded Warriors Canada
Hi, Darrell. It's good to see you again.
Liberal
Executive Director, Wounded Warriors Canada
There are lots of providers. Who are they? There are, from what Patricia is saying, the OTs. The health care providing community is massive in Canada and provides supports for the population, and under our contract by VAC. So that's what I mean. There's—
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
The point I'm trying to make, Mr. Maxwell, is that there were two service providers, and now we have one, and that one service provider will allow 14,000-plus veterans to access 9,000 medical professionals across the country, as well as having access to over 600 offices. Are you aware of that?
Executive Director, Wounded Warriors Canada
That's new. That's information to me. But, again, what I would say, Darrell, is to not look at the numbers so much as the outcomes and effects.
Executive Director, Wounded Warriors Canada
Perhaps I could finish. Sometimes within every government, any government, any situation, it's all about the numbers and less about the effect. I would say that what we're talking about is wait times decreasing, the cultural competency. There are 9,000 providers. Wonderful. How many support uniformed service personnel on a daily basis? I would—
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
Thank you. Mr. Maxwell, I'm sorry, but I don't have much time.
Do you believe that these medical professionals, who would be supporting our veterans through this new contract, would have the patient's, the veteran's best interests when dealing with them?
Executive Director, Wounded Warriors Canada
Always. I think every health care provider has the best interests of the veteran, or the uniformed service member or their family member in their care in mind. It just doesn't always mean they're providing it.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
No, but it doesn't mean they're not either, so we can't make that assumption.
That being said, do you think, Mr. Maxwell, that Veterans Affairs would have the capacity to offer an in-house service?
Executive Director, Wounded Warriors Canada
I would say they haven't provided that, and they shouldn't provide it. They should rely on the subject matter experts in the field to do the work.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
Thank you.
Let's maybe talk about your organization, which does excellent work to support veterans. I thank you and all your people who work in supporting our veterans.
Does your organization provide training? For therapy and training, do you do it in-house, or are you contracting out to external service providers to deliver rehab, medical and sociological supports?
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
You do it all in-house. Nothing is contracted out?
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
Okay.
Have you been contacted by the union to speak about this rehab contract?