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.
Conservative
Fraser Tolmie Conservative Moose Jaw—Lake Centre—Lanigan, SK
Mr. Banks, recently we were told that VAC was told to temporarily suspend service between October 25 to November 29. You mentioned a delay in response. Was that the time period you were involved in?
Conservative
Fraser Tolmie Conservative Moose Jaw—Lake Centre—Lanigan, SK
If it were to happen, and you have experienced a delay, would that concern you? How does that make you feel?
Sergeant (Retired), As an Individual
Which specific delay are you referring to?
Conservative
Fraser Tolmie Conservative Moose Jaw—Lake Centre—Lanigan, SK
You mentioned in your comments that you were waiting for a response and that you never got anything back, that you just were put off. That's why I asked if you felt abandoned. Therefore, I want to know how you feel about....
Sergeant (Retired), As an Individual
Are you referring to the appeal I filed with Veterans Affairs for the 12-week wait?
Sergeant (Retired), As an Individual
Yes, I feel abandoned, more so because I explicitly told everybody in every step of the appeal process how my mental health had essentially collapsed. I was again suicidal. Their response was to say, not good enough. Yes, I absolutely feel abandoned.
Conservative
Fraser Tolmie Conservative Moose Jaw—Lake Centre—Lanigan, SK
Okay. Let me ask this as a blanket question. If a case manager doesn't know what the contract provider is there to do, how confident do you feel that you're going to be looked after, Ms. Gauthier?
Corporal (Retired), As an Individual
Zero. I have no confidence at all. How can they? The agents that we used to have working with us knew our case files and were able to have the control and power to help us directly. I've lived this, I've seen it work and it has worked.
But since Medavie Blue Cross came, they keep telling me how their hands are tied and that they're not able to provide the services—and also because my case is a fairly severe one, even more so. Can we just deal with it once and for all?
Conservative
Fraser Tolmie Conservative Moose Jaw—Lake Centre—Lanigan, SK
I know I'm running out of time, but I just want to say thank you.
Conservative
Fraser Tolmie Conservative Moose Jaw—Lake Centre—Lanigan, SK
Thank you for answering my questions, and I'm sorry.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
Yes. Thank you, Mr. Tolmie.
Now let's go to Mr. Wilson Miao for six minutes or less, please.
Liberal
Wilson Miao Liberal Richmond Centre, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you, each and every one of you for your appearance today at the committee. From each of your opening remarks, it's really sad to hear what happened.
I'd like to ask my first question of you, Mr. Banks, on your dealings with VAC, which you mentioned in your opening remarks. What advice would you give to the department to further improve this support and service to your needs?
Sergeant (Retired), As an Individual
I would say that for an outsider looking in, whose experience is as a client, this pattern of continual erosion of benefits is not the answer. Every time there's a new contract, one more thing is removed, and this is only going to end up with there being nothing left. This privatization scheme and this outsourcing scheme is just putting care in the hands of people who have a profit motive and not a care motive, and you can see the effects in real time.
Liberal
Wilson Miao Liberal Richmond Centre, BC
Thank you.
With the support you have received so far, was that provided through the previous rehab contract that VAC offered through the external service providers?
Sergeant (Retired), As an Individual
I went through the process, but the ombudsman removed me from the program.
Liberal
Wilson Miao Liberal Richmond Centre, BC
Yes. I'm sorry to hear about that.
Were there any medical services that you received?
Sergeant (Retired), As an Individual
Through the previous CVVRS? I don't believe so, although my other mental health services are either through Blue Cross or direct billing to Veterans Affairs.
Liberal
Wilson Miao Liberal Richmond Centre, BC
With this transition right now, what do you feel VAC can do better in providing service to you?
Sergeant (Retired), As an Individual
For one, I heard the committee ask about a dozen times today regarding who, of the various stakeholders, was consulted, and I don't know if any veterans with lived experience were ever considered for consultation.
December 1st, 2022 / 5:20 p.m.
Liberal
Wilson Miao Liberal Richmond Centre, BC
If there's a chance right now, what suggestion do you have for the department or for VAC?
Sergeant (Retired), As an Individual
Not to be rude, but I believe I already answered that by saying that this privatization and outsourcing scheme is doomed to result in inadequate service levels and further suicides.