Thank you.
I was first named to this committee after the 2011 election. You will undoubtedly recall that in the years 2011 to 2015, there were pretty deep cuts to the civil service generally and to Veterans Affairs Canada particularly, including the closing of district offices. What impact did that have?
Let me just go one step further. Now I hear you talking about the complexities involved in cases. Back then, the argument was that veterans were dying off and that there were no longer traditional veterans; therefore, there was less need for such manpower within Veterans Affairs.
I hear you telling a vastly different story today. I'd be interested in your comments on the impact of those cuts, what was required to rebuild and, more specifically, the district offices.