Thanks, Chair. It's great to be back at Veterans Affairs. I started my political career here on this committee.
I know Mr. Ross may not be aware, but I have 25 years in uniform, so I am well versed.
I was going to ask you a direct question, Mr. Ross, but MP Blaney actually beat me to the punch. I just want to thank you for your advocacy for the 2SLGBTQ community and thank you for your service.
Things have got better, but as you say, it's not there yet. One of my best friends is still serving in the military as a senior officer who is openly gay, and one of my best soldiers I had in my battalion was not only indigenous but he was gay as well.
You're always welcome at the Tara Legion, Branch 383 in my home town of Tara. The Legion there will welcome anybody, whoever has served and anybody just in general.
Mr. Thorne, I just want to thank you again for your advocacy not only for veterans but also for everything you've been doing on the Afghan file as well. However, those four recommendations that you have provided here are vital. They're four of the best recommendations I've heard: cultural competence, the need for having veterans in VAC and understanding not only whether they're marginal communities but also just their situation itself; that split between injuries caused by CAF or caused by the institution; the need to have uniquely tailored service offerings.... But what my question wants to focus on, because this is what I'm still concerned about even with the testimony we just heard from the previous panel, is the importance of having quick access. Despite the improvements that are being made in VAC, I am still hearing veterans say it's taken 20 to 30 months to get resolution of their files.
Can you just expand on the importance and the trauma, especially for those dealing with PTSD and mental health challenges too, of veterans not getting the help they need quickly?