Veterans Affairs Committee on Dec. 12th, 2023

[Fraser Tolmie, Conservative, Moose Jaw—Lake Centre—Lanigan, SK]

It's quite simple. Did you clear the backlog by simply denying veterans claims that they were ultimately entitled to?

[Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Liberal, Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, NB]

Absolutely not.

[Fraser Tolmie, Conservative, Moose Jaw—Lake Centre—Lanigan, SK]

Why do we have a backlog?

[Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Liberal, Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, NB]

Again, as I've just indicated to you, we have a 61% increase in our applications at Veterans Affairs Canada.

[Fraser Tolmie, Conservative, Moose Jaw—Lake Centre—Lanigan, SK]

I'm sorry. Through you, Chair, that's not the backlog. That's an initial veteran coming to you and saying, “I need help”. That number may have increased, but that doesn't mean the backlog should have increased.

If you're going to accept veterans and say that they have hearing loss and that they have to go through the process more than once, you're creating that backlog.

[Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Liberal, Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, NB]

As I've indicated, with respect to hearing and tinnitus, I agree that we have to find efficiencies and make sure those files are handled way more efficiently. That's exactly what the department is doing, making sure that we—

[Fraser Tolmie, Conservative, Moose Jaw—Lake Centre—Lanigan, SK]

Through you, Chair, this should be done. This is something that has not gone away. I've been in this chair for two years, and I've been hearing this for two years. Nothing has improved.

[Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Liberal, Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, NB]

Actually, I am doing something about it.

[Fraser Tolmie, Conservative, Moose Jaw—Lake Centre—Lanigan, SK]

Through you, Chair, I'd like to hear what that is, because I know that veterans would like to hear what that is.

[Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Liberal, Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, NB]

Again, as I've indicated, we are working on exactly that specific issue and are making sure that we can find those efficiencies and that we can deal with those files as quickly as possible.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

Thank you, Mr. Tolmie.

The last intervention will be with Randeep Sarai for five minutes.

[Randeep Sarai, Liberal, Surrey Centre, BC]

Thank you, Chair.

Thank you, Minister, for coming here.

One thing we've seen in my short time here in this committee is that some of the scars of battle that veterans carry are visible, but others are not. Those invisible scars manifest themselves through occupational stress injuries, which have a significant impact on a veteran's quality of life.

Can you speak to us about this and how Veterans Affairs is working to improve the mental health supports it offers veterans?

[Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Liberal, Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, NB]

Thanks so much for that question.

I think we all recognize that mental health and physical health is health. We have to make sure that our veterans have access to the services they need in a timely manner. We can call it an operational stress injury, we can call it a moral injury or we can call it PTSI.

I think that, first and foremost, we have to deal with the stigma that sometimes is still attached to mental health injuries. We're doing a better job, but again, I think more work can be done in ensuring people have access and can ask for the services they need when they need them. As a department, we've heard it loud and clear. I think that recommendation was perhaps even brought up here at the VAC committee. Again, we have to find efficiencies to make sure that people have access to mental health services in a timely fashion.

Instead of contacting Veterans Affairs Canada and going through an application process and that taking some time, we've made sure that when people are accessing or asking for mental health services those approvals are done immediately. Again, when people are asking for help, we have to make sure that they don't have to wait for the services. Through the department, I think we've been very effective and efficient in making sure that our veterans do have access to those services in a very timely fashion.

[Randeep Sarai, Liberal, Surrey Centre, BC]

Thank you, Minister.

Also, when it comes to homelessness, it's on the rise in many cases in Canada. It's no different in Surrey. It's a reality that's facing too many veterans who have bravely served our country. Obviously, everyone deserves to have a safe and affordable home, so it's vitally important that we do everything in our power to help and assist homeless veterans. They fought bravely for our country, and they deserve a safe and affordable place to call home.

I know that the Government of Canada launched a dedicated veteran homelessness program. Can you tell us what action the government is taking on this critical issue?

[Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Liberal, Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, NB]

With respect to different types of programs, on the latest program that we announced there was a call for proposals this year. Again, we've received a number of applications from different groups across the country. As indicated, the infrastructure department and Veterans Affairs are in the process of reviewing those applications, and I'm certainly hoping that we'll be able to make some announcements in the very near future.

Again, on the monies, the investments, for those programs, we are really talking about two tranches, if you will. One part of the funding will be utilized for rent supplements, because we want to make sure that veterans will have that supplement to pay for their rent. Also, in some areas, we want to ensure that the wraparound services—if some are needed—are also available there.

I've seen some of the preliminary applications that have come in. Again, we have some groups that have been working with veterans. That's what they do day in and day out. They know their clients. They know veterans, and some of them are veterans. I'm looking forward to being able to roll out those funds to make sure that the agencies receive the funds. Then, from there, at the end of the day, they'll be able to provide services, help and support to our veterans.

[Randeep Sarai, Liberal, Surrey Centre, BC]

Quickly, then, Minister, since I have a minute, the significant contributions of indigenous veterans unfortunately have not always been recognized as they should. I've heard about that in the last little while as well. I know that there is a commemorative partnership program that invested in funding for projects in indigenous communities. Maybe you can let us know what you're doing to ensure that the sacrifices of these brave women and men get their due recognition, which they deserve.

[Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Liberal, Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, NB]

Thanks so much for that.

Again, I think that our department and government are certainly committed to supporting and recognizing the contributions that indigenous veterans have made to this country. When it comes to commemoration, we certainly want to make sure that we do our part in including them in all of the commemoration events that are going on. That is why at Veterans Affairs Canada we have a dedicated team of indigenous employees that are working on this. We are going out into communities and actually doing outreach with indigenous communities across the country.

We also want to make sure that indigenous veterans are aware of the services and supports they are entitled to. We have teams that go out in different parts of the country, again, to make sure that they can meet with indigenous veterans, whether it be in the northern part of the country or...because sometimes it's a bit more isolated. Again, we want to make sure that we do all we can to recognize and to support the contributions they've made.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

Thank you very much.

This concludes the first hour of our meeting.

On behalf of the members of the committee and on my own behalf as well, I would like to thank the witnesses. Appearing before the committee were the Hon. Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence; Mr. Paul Ledwell, deputy minister; Ms. Sara Lantz, assistant deputy minister, chief financial officer and corporate services; and, by videoconference, Mr. Steven Harris, assistant deputy minister, service delivery branch.

We'll suspend for a few moments while we test the connection of new witnesses. We'll be back in about four minutes.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

I call this meeting to back to order.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, the committee is resuming its study on the subject matter of supplementary estimates (B), 2023-24.

In accordance with our routine motion, sound checks have been completed.

We extend a warm welcome to the witnesses for the second hour of the meeting.

We have a number of witnesses for the second hour: Ms. Sara Lantz, assistant deputy minister, chief financial officer and corporate services; Mr. Pierre Tessier, assistant deputy minister, strategic policy, planning and performance branch; Mr. Steven Harris, assistant deputy minister, service delivery branch, by video conference; and Ms. Amy Meunier, assistant deputy minister, commemoration and public affairs branch, by video conference.

Welcome to all.

Mr. Harris or Mr. Tessier, I don't know if you have an opening statement. I could give you five minutes.

[Pierre Tessier, Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy, Planning and Performance Branch, Department of Veterans Affairs]

Mr. Chair, we don't have any opening statements.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

Okay. Perfect.

Let's start the first round of questions with MP Blake Richards for six minutes, please.

[Blake Richards, Conservative, Banff—Airdrie, AB]

I'll share some time with Mr. Dowdall, but I have one or two quick questions first.

Ms. Meunier, with regard to the national monument to the mission in Afghanistan, was the Prime Minister's Office involved in the decision to change the awarding of the contract, or were they involved in the discussions around the changing of that decision?

[Amy Meunier, Assistant Deputy Minister, Commemoration and Public Affairs Branch, Department of Veterans Affairs]

Members of the Prime Minister's Office and of the Privy Council Office were part of a general discussion about the topic, along with Canadian Heritage officials and Veterans Affairs Canada officials.

[Blake Richards, Conservative, Banff—Airdrie, AB]

A discussion on that took place in a number of meetings and in a number of emails over what looks like about a year and a half. Who ultimately made the decision? When it came right down to it, who made the decision to make that change?

[Amy Meunier]

It was the Minister of Veterans Affairs.