Thank you so much, Chair.
First of all, I want to make a comment on your statement that there was something you didn't get a chance to say.
We know that the Canadian government gives employment priority in its public service to equally qualified veterans. We received information as a committee that as of September 1, 2021, there were 171 VAC employees who have self-identified as being current or former Canadian Armed Forces members. Out of 3,455 full-time equivalents at VAC, that's about 5%, we'll say.
According to the Public Service Commission, which is responsible for administering hiring priorities, 330 appointments out of the 64,796 hires made in 2021-22 for the entire public service were veterans. That's about half a per cent.
In your thinking, is that a good representation or under-representation within the public service itself of the hiring of veterans?