Mr. Speaker, we wish that we could have done it. The reality is we were to address equally five other urgent veterans' priorities. The fiscal situation will only allow us to address the six urgent veterans' priorities following consultation with the three major veterans' organizations. By doing it this way, it is effective on the day we announce it, and we made the announcement, so we could not make it retroactive. However, we will assist any spouse, who may be needing services, eligible for provincial programs, to the best the department can do.
In the House of Commons on September 15th, 2003. See this statement in context.