Thank you so much. I really appreciate that.
You know, for me, I'm always going to ask questions about marriage after 60, because I have committed to many veterans and their spouses that this is a fight that I will continue fighting as long as I possibly can, hoping for a resolution sooner rather than later.
Mr. Chair, there was great participation at my event for women veterans. The minister was there and had a chance to meet with Madeline Landry, a person I have a great amount of respect for. Of course, I know that Madeline shared her story. The reality is that she was married for over 20 years to her veteran spouse and she now does not receive any survivor pension benefits.
We know that the annual pension payout from the federal government is $12 billion. According to the PBO report, eliminating the gold digger clause would add an increase of less than 2% to the annual payout. I'm confused as to why this isn't addressed. I get a lot of largely women calling my office who are quite elderly and who tell me that they are not gold diggers. I believe that they are not gold diggers.
In 2019, $150 million was put aside for the survivor's benefit. We're now in 2023. This is a crisis.
Minister, when you will eliminate this clause?