Veterans Affairs Committee on March 25th, 2026

[Jill McKnight, Liberal, Delta, BC]

I have had conversations with veterans from British Columbia to the Atlantic coast. We were recently together at an event with veterans.

I have come to see that each veteran is unique. There are sometimes common themes, which is to be expected, but the experience of each individual veteran and the contributing factors are unique to the individual. I have not seen a consistency with every veteran.

Yes, there are times when there are common themes.

[Alana Hirtle, Liberal, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

That makes sense. Would it be more accurate or fair to say that the term “veterans” comprises a wide range of individuals at varying stages in their lives, with different priorities?

[Jill McKnight, Liberal, Delta, BC]

Yes, very much.

[Alana Hirtle, Liberal, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Marie-France Lalonde]

That's excellent. Thank you, Minister.

I'm going to invite everyone to put their earpiece on. Madam Gaudreau will be addressing you in French.

Thank you very much.

Ms. Gaudreau, you have the floor for six minutes.

[Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, Bloc, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

I also need to acknowledge this step forward. I'm very pleased that the minister spoke in French. Well done. I wanted to acknowledge that. I have been practising my English for six years.

First of all, I want to make sure of something concerning the numbers. It is claimed that 74% of respondents said that services had improved. However, unless my figures are wrong, based on the number of respondents, the figures I have show that 732 out of 23,000 people answered the survey. We have to be careful how these figures are interpreted, because not all 23,000 veterans were surveyed. I have some concern about that.

That said, I've just learned some things from the audit, and I have absolutely no doubt about the desire to help the cause of veterans.

My first question is this: According to the department, when will you get the information needed to reach a conclusion? Were you given a timeline? The goal is that it takes a year, and then it starts all over again; it's a cycle. Has the department given you a timeline?

[Jill McKnight, Liberal, Delta, BC]

I will have to come back to you on the specifics of the timeline.

I apologize for answering in English.

[Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, Bloc, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

That said, the purpose of our current study is to find elements, and we are also asking the witnesses to suggest improvements.

If I understand correctly, your wish, as part of the audit, is that we continue our important work.

[Jill McKnight, Liberal, Delta, BC]

The study the committee is undertaking here is incredibly important because it helps to give insight. The testimony of the witnesses can give insight into areas of the review—and I'm not sure if it's a translation thing—it's an independent review that we will be undertaking. This will give the opportunity to perhaps give direction for things we look at in addition to many elements that will be identified by Veterans Affairs Canada.

[Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, Bloc, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

I think I have a minute of speaking time left.

[The Chair, Liberal, Marie-France Lalonde]

You have three minutes left.

[Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, Bloc, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

That's great.

At the last meeting, I proposed that we hear from more witnesses on this study. There weren't enough. We added a meeting. What I understand is that it would be relevant. The goal is not to make a big production of it. My role is to help the veterans who approach me every week in my office. A more in-depth study could contribute to the audit. That's my current understanding.

[Jill McKnight, Liberal, Delta, BC]

I would turn it back to the chair for the committee to give direction or to lead the conversation with regard to the number of meetings. I can say that we will be undertaking the review and looking at this. At any time, I would certainly encourage any of our colleagues to reach out to our office when there are cases. When somebody is coming forward with a concern, we welcome you to reach out to our office so that we may offer assistance in connecting with the appropriate person. You mention that you have veterans reaching out to you; I would encourage you to connect with our office so that we may help support in connecting those veterans with individuals to help them with any concerns.

[Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, Bloc, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

I hope you will hire people. You may get a lot of calls, because people listen to us.

I have 15 seconds of speaking time left and I'm going to ask one last question. I would like to know if you are aware that 300 cases are being cancelled in April because cuts are being made to the lawyers who provide support to veterans. Were you aware of that?

[Jill McKnight, Liberal, Delta, BC]

I believe this is starting to move away from the topic that we are here today to address—the PCVRS—which is the invitation that I received today.

[The Chair, Liberal, Marie-France Lalonde]

Thank you, Ms. Gaudreau.

I will now go to our second round.

Mr. Tolmie, you have five minutes, please.

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

Thank you, Minister, for being here today and for taking our questions. I'd like to talk about the PCVRS contract, and I'd like to ask you who designed the assessment. Was it VAC approved?

[Jill McKnight, Liberal, Delta, BC]

Could you clarify, please, what you mean by the assessment?

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

It is the assessment the vets have to go through. Who approved the assessment?

[Jill McKnight, Liberal, Delta, BC]

That is a question for which I would turn to the department officials who specialize in that part.

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

Okay, that's fine. I think I already have the answer. This obviously had to be approved by your department. What I hear is that it's your department, your survey, and that there's going to be an independent review. Who's doing the independent review?

[Jill McKnight, Liberal, Delta, BC]

I don't have a specific name for you at this time, but it will be an independent review so that it is objective.

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

Could we as a committee pick the independent reviewer so that we could have some impartiality?

[Jill McKnight, Liberal, Delta, BC]

That would not be appropriate, but we will be looking for an impartial review of the program.

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

I would argue that it would be very appropriate, that we would get an independent voice who would actually give us some facts. We've got 25% of the people who have been surveyed unhappy with the service they've received. In fact, I hear that the witnesses who have gone through this assessment have spent more time in assessments than they have in care, and that they're experiencing institutional harm. They don't feel safe coming forward, so their voice is our voice. We're here to say that there are a lot more people who are unhappy. What would you have to say to them?