Thanks, Chris.
Mr. Chair, ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon.
As indicated by Mr. McNeil, we want to take a moment to tell you about a few of the initiatives we have implemented to improve access for veterans.
First, we have expanded the board's simplified hearing model, which has allowed us to increase the volume of cases that can be heard, and support timelier decisions. Most importantly it reduces the burden on veterans and their families to make their claim.
In partnership with the Bureau of Pensions Advocates, we participated in the VETeam initiative with a simplified process, primarily for hearing loss and tinnitus cases. This process allowed the board to hear and issue approximately 2,500 decisions over the past two years, with 1,000 of these in a four-month window.
We are currently piloting an early resolution model, also with the Bureau of Pensions Advocates, for cases where the issue in dispute is narrow. The object is to deal with these files early and divert them from the formal appeal hearing process. In cooperation with the bureau, we believe this process has significant opportunity to address the backlog and reduce the burden on veterans and their families.
Finally, we continue to work every day to put the board in a position where it has the capacity to meet the current and ongoing needs of Canada's veterans.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I will now give the floor to my colleague Steven Woodman from the Bureau of Pensions Advocates.