Evidence of meeting #14 for Veterans Affairs in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was families.
A recording is available from Parliament.
November 25th, 2025 / 4:20 p.m.
Conservative
Blake Richards Conservative Airdrie—Cochrane, AB
Let's pick up on the 2021 audit you just mentioned.
As you said, it didn't look too good for Veterans Affairs. It didn't have a lot of good things to say. It indicated that there was a need for improvement in processing disability benefits for survivors. It made some recommendations, but the target date to achieve them was September 30, 2022, which is more than three years ago now. Some were even earlier.
Could you speak to some of those recommendations and whether they've been achieved?
As an Individual
First, I think we need to talk about what exactly the report says before we talk about the recommendations.
I'm going to read you a couple lines from the report—not many, but I have to read them.
Under “Veteran Benefit Team”, it says, “outdated reference material...did not provide the level of detail that would ensure staff properly/consistently performed required duties.”
This is under “Benefits Adjudication and Processing Unit”:
There was no official business processes or guidance on how to process disability benefits for survivors.
There was no formal training related to disability benefits for survivors. Staff relied on co-workers to obtain guidance.
It also says, “The existing business process for preparing...the [benefit information letter] did not provide sufficient level of detail to properly perform/conduct their responsibilities.”
Conservative
Blake Richards Conservative Airdrie—Cochrane, AB
I think that's all pretty clear. I think it also, unfortunately, mirrors what we often see veterans deal with for other types of applications. It's the biggest problem we face within the system when getting help for veterans and their surviving family members.
Thank you for highlighting that.
As an Individual
It's a bit different. At least with veterans, because there are so many, there are guidance training manuals. They're educated on dealing with veterans, as opposed to us. They only deal with one of us every.... Once a year, maybe, they'll get a survivor, so they don't have the right processes in place. They don't have the training. It's their audit team saying this.
Conservative
Blake Richards Conservative Airdrie—Cochrane, AB
It's even worse for survivors; is that what you're saying?
Conservative
Blake Richards Conservative Airdrie—Cochrane, AB
I'll turn to you now, Mr. Marceau. You mentioned a few things that I want to follow up on. I'll start with care. It's been discussed a couple of times in questions already.
If I understand what you were saying—and this isn't the first time we've heard this from veterans—it seems like the answer from Veterans Affairs is always, “Let's push you into some medication and drugs.” Often, veterans say, “That's not what I want. I don't want to be medicated and drugged; what I want is to get the help I need.” That might come in the form of some of the things you talked about, such as different types of programming, different peer support situations and different therapies, and they all exist. Unfortunately, what often happens is that veterans have to find out about them themselves or they have to pay for them themselves, instead of Veterans Affairs saying, “Here's what's available to you, and this might work for you based on your interests,” ensuring that they get the help they need.
I wonder if you could speak to that. Is that what you're referring to here? You seem to be getting that push toward medications, prescriptions and drugs, rather than Veterans Affairs saying, “Here are some opportunities for you to get the help you need.” Is that what you're referring to? Do you want to speak to that more?
As an Individual
Yes, sir. In my case, the only thing that worked, because I didn't have the choice....
I was in a deep hole. I had become suicidal. I even asked for medical assistance in dying. Excuse my language, but I wondered why I had become such a piece of shit.
It's not complicated. They tried to destroy my very nature. I could never become a teacher overnight. I could never become a politician like you. I don't have your finesse or your communication skills. I am a soldier and a warrior.
What saved me, and what I encourage my friends to do as well, is to learn how to breathe, quite simply. Breathing is the only thing that works. Try it when you feel yourself getting carried away by anger, frustration, or—
Conservative
Blake Richards Conservative Airdrie—Cochrane, AB
Did you just say that you were offered medical assistance in dying?
Liberal
Conservative
As an Individual
I wasn't offered it, sir. I was so low that I asked for it. I had to do something for myself.
I had to come to terms with what I am. I need danger and I need stress. So I started doing yoga again.
Conservative
Blake Richards Conservative Airdrie—Cochrane, AB
Thank you for your courage and sticking around, and then being—
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Marie-France Lalonde
There's fairness to all at this committee.
Please forgive me, Ms. Gaudreau. I skipped your turn when I gave the floor to Mr. Richards.
You have two and a half minutes, and even maybe a few seconds more.
Please forgive me.
Bloc
Marie-Hélène Gaudreau Bloc Laurentides—Labelle, QC
You're forgiven, Madam Chair.
Something very insightful was just said. It's true that every human being should really practice cardiac coherence and proper breathing. These are techniques that we can learn with guidance.
From what I understand, unfortunately, it's not a lack of will on the part of civil servants, the department, or elected officials, but rather choices that have been made and that need to be corrected. Currently, the department outsources many of its services. Even though I try to understand from the bottom of my heart what you've been through and what you're going through right now, it's truly extraordinary.
It doesn't really take a general practitioner, but rather a structure like the one that existed before, with hospitals and support. Veterans need to know where to find them. We must not abandon them. Right now, it's a question of political will, because we are all so sorry about what is happening.
For my part, I'm concerned about the national defence projects. Before moving too far ahead, we need to start with the basics.
Is what you need from us to reconnect with all veterans and their families to maintain ties and ensure that the services provided meet your specific needs?
As an Individual
Yes. You touched on it just there. The CAF is getting an influx. We know why they're getting an influx. Logically, if the CAF is getting an influx for the reasons they are, the Veterans Affairs budget is going to.... There are going to be more people needing Veterans Affairs. You can't increase the CAF and not expect that you're going to need the corresponding increase in Veterans Affairs.
Bloc
Marie-Hélène Gaudreau Bloc Laurentides—Labelle, QC
We really understand what you are saying.
Mr. Marceau, in just a few words, because I'm running out of time, did what I say make sense?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Marie-France Lalonde
You're probably the most honest person here in terms of time management. Bravo!
Ms. Auguste, you have five minutes.
Liberal
Tatiana Auguste Liberal Terrebonne, QC
Thank you very much, Chair.
Mr. Marceau, first off, I'd like to thank you for your service to our country.
Earlier, you talked about the camaraderie you had with your brothers in arms. You told us that leaving the group life of the military was really difficult. Throughout this study, we've often talked about isolation as a huge challenge for veterans.
Can you give us some advice on what we could do to better help veterans combat this isolation and maintain the camaraderie of the military after their service?
As an Individual
I think the big problem is that when we chose to be career military, it wasn't our eighth choice. The military was my first choice. If I hadn't joined the Canadian Armed Forces, I would have gone to the United States or the United Kingdom. I would still have been in the military.
I'm speaking for myself, but it's pretty much the same for all my friends. We're ashamed. We were tough guys in the military. We went to Afghanistan. But when we come home, we're on medication, we're curled up in bed, we have snot running down our noses, we're crying our eyes out. Excuse my language, but we poop and piss ourselves. We can no longer be men with our partners because of the medication. We lose control of ourselves. When that happens, we feel ashamed. We don't call our friends.
That's the mistake all veterans make, but veterans shouldn't be left alone.
Liberal
Tatiana Auguste Liberal Terrebonne, QC
You spoke of the benefits of yoga and many other physical activities. This really helped you to regain that sense of community.
Can you tell us how you and your friends were able to regain that sense of community in order to keep moving forward?
As an Individual
I don't hang out with many veterans, but when I do see them, I get along really well with them because I was a team player. I loved the army, but honestly, I don't hang out with enough veterans. I'm going to join the Royal Canadian Legion. Lately, I've reconnected with a lot of people across the country that I had lost touch with for 10, 15, or 20 years.
I don't know if I'm answering your question properly, but basically, when you “break down”, as happened to me and my buddies who went to Afghanistan, you feel bad.
I don't want to insult veterans from other missions. Other veterans have experienced horrors elsewhere. It wasn't only in Afghanistan that it was hard. I wouldn't have wanted to go to Somalia. I didn't go, and I'm glad I didn't. Every mission has its own unique characteristics. We mustn't forget the veterans who were taken prisoner in Bosnia.
In my opinion, veterans shouldn't isolate themselves. That's the mistake I made, and it almost killed me.