Veterans Affairs Committee on Feb. 2nd, 2023

[Debbie Lowther]

For the veterans we support, we've analyzed the stats that we keep, and we've learned that the average amount of time that passes from the time a veteran releases from the military to their first episode of homelessness is about 10 years. The majority of veterans who come to us for assistance have served 10 years or less, so they don't have access to a lot of benefits unless they're seriously injured.

Most of the veterans who come to us are from the combat and arms trade. They do have transferable skills, but sometimes they're not recognized by employers, and the veterans themselves don't think their skills are transferrable. If they're infantry, they can't see how that translates to a civilian position.

The majority of the veterans that we support are underemployed, I would say. Employment is not necessarily what led them to become homeless. In some cases, yes, it is, but that's not the most common reason.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

What resources or tools do you think we could support them with to help them?

[Debbie Lowther]

There are some tools and resources out there, but veterans just aren't really aware of them. The education and training benefit is a really good benefit, as I said, as long as the veterans know about it. Unfortunately, they're not always told by their case managers about these benefits. We've had case managers say to us, “Well, he didn't ask us about it.” Well, you don't ask about what you don't know about.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

That being said, I think we started the program in 2018, and the uptake was very slow, but at the last meeting it was said that we had an uptake of about 2,200 this year, which is outstanding. When you look at the numbers, you see that there were a couple of hundred two years ago. Somewhere there has been some good work done—a good uptake—or some salesmanship on that front.

We all have a responsibility to educate ourselves around what programs can match with some of the challenges out there. I truly believe that if you have a purpose in life, if you have a job, if you want to work, and you're able to facilitate that process, it's really big, but for the challenging individuals you probably deal with, it is more challenging on that front.

Mr. Guindon, which of your employment programs seems to interest veterans the most? How do you promote your offerings to attract veterans?

[Capt(N) (Ret'd) Paul Guindon]

We use just about anything that involves word-of-mouth advertising.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

Thank you, Mr. Guindon.

We will now go to the second vice-chair, Luc Desilets, for six minutes.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Good evening to my fellow members and to our witnesses.

Mr. Guindon and Mr. Harsch, thank you for your service.

Mr. Guindon, the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires has been around since 1925, I believe. The organization really took off in a number of cities, including Montreal, where the corps provided services. Does it still?

[Capt(N) (Ret'd) Paul Guindon]

Absolutely. The Canadian Corps of Commissionaires has 15 divisions across the country, so from St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, to Victoria, British Columbia. We had two divisions in Quebec, but they merged, so there's only one left. The Montreal division is actually one of our largest. It's similar to the one in Ottawa, with the same number of people.

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

If I'm not mistaken, you have 4,500 people working for your organization. Do they all work in security?

[Capt(N) (Ret'd) Paul Guindon]

In Montreal?

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

In Montreal or anywhere.

[Capt(N) (Ret'd) Paul Guindon]

They all work in security.

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

Great. Why do you think veterans do so well in security positions?

[Capt(N) (Ret'd) Paul Guindon]

Organization, leadership, management, training, and the ability to give and follow orders are all in the DNA of former members of the armed forces. It's the same with police officers. It's part of who we are.

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

What do you know about the national strategy that Veterans Affairs Canada expects to bring forward? Are you in contact with the department? Have you had contact? Has the department reached out to you?

[Capt(N) (Ret'd) Paul Guindon]

For a few years now, we have been in regular contact with the Department of Veterans Affairs. In the past, the vast majority of veterans we worked with did not have dealings with the department because they didn't have any medical issues or require support. They were looking for a job. Only 20% of veterans were also in need of support through the department.

For that reason, we weren't really plugged into the department. However, now that the department is focusing more and more on employment, not just on service delivery, it's looking to us for help.

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

What would you recommend Veterans Affairs Canada do to help veterans transition successfully to civilian life?

[Capt(N) (Ret'd) Paul Guindon]

That's a very good question, but I don't think Veterans Affairs Canada is best suited to answer that. I think you should put that question to the Canadian Armed Forces. I know for a fact that the armed forces has programs in place to help members with the transition.

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

A lot of us have questions about the fact that Veterans Affairs Canada has very few veterans in its workforce. We all have a hard time wrapping our heads around that.

It does a veteran good to speak to another veteran, someone who understands their situation, someone who's been on missions, for instance.

Do you know why so few veterans work at Veterans Affairs Canada?

[Capt(N) (Ret'd) Paul Guindon]

That's an excellent question, but I don't think I'm the best person to answer that.

When the department posts jobs, it needs to encourage veterans to apply and recognize the skills they bring to the table. That said, more and more members of the department's workforce are veterans.

The difference between Veterans Affairs Canada and its U.S. counterpart is that the United States has set targets.

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

Do you think the department has targets?

[Capt(N) (Ret'd) Paul Guindon]

I can't answer that.

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

Thank you.

[Capt(N) (Ret'd) Paul Guindon]

Actually, I could answer, but it's not for me to say.

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

What would you say?