Mr. Speaker, I hope that my comments today will clarify the concerns that the member has brought up. I know for a fact that the minister has bent over backwards to answer the member's questions. I had hoped that this had been cleared up before, but I will repeat the answers that have been given. This problem has been solved and solved for a long time.
We have the utmost respect for the work done by JTF2. It is an extremely well trained organization and one of the best in the world. It was created in 1993 to deal with counterterrorism operations and the threat of terrorism, which we know has become very elusive, sophisticated and determined.
In the 2001 federal budget $119 million was allocated to JTF2 to augment the capabilities of this elite anti-terrorism unit. The government announced that the unit would double its capacity in order to better represent and respond to Canada's needs in this very difficult challenge.
Budget 2005 continues in this trend. We have made a commitment to maintain the excellence of this counterterrorism capability by providing further investments to help our special forces to sustain, expand and acquire the capabilities they need.
The budget allocated $2.8 billion for new equipment for the forces and specialized facilities for JTF2. Indeed, all of us are very proud of what this unit does and indeed the work that the men and women of our Canadian Forces do day in and day out.
It has been suggested by members of this House that the secrecy of JTF2 operations prevents members who have been injured in the service of their country from providing the information necessary to be awarded disability payments by Veterans Affairs.
This is the key issue. It is simply not true. I want to make it very clear that JTF2 members are entitled to the same support and health care services as other members. The Department of National Defence and the Department of Veterans Affairs are committed to ensuring that all military and retired military personnel receive the benefits of which they are entitled and are treated fairly, with dignity and respect.
Officials with the Department of National Defence, including representatives of JTF2, have met with members of Veterans Affairs and they have confirmed that information required by Veterans Affairs does not compromise the security requirements by JTF2.
However, to ensure that no member is left out and falls through the cracks, the two ministers have agreed that should additional information be required, Veterans Affairs would accept the assurances of the Department of National Defence that the individual suffered a service related injury. No other requirements are required. This was dealt with and hammered out a long time ago.
I would like to encourage any member of the special operations forces or indeed any member of the Canadian Forces who has questions of a disability claim to come forward. He or she should contact the Centre for the Support of Injured and Retired Members and their Families which will provide confidential support to injured members, veterans and their families.
If any member of this House knows of any person in our Canadian Forces who requires care and is not receiving it, put politics aside, respond to us directly. We will ensure that they are taken care of. This is a commitment by the government. This is a promise that we have made. We wish to assure anyone out there who feels that they are not being taken care of to please contact us and we will work with them to resolve the issue.
We owe our men and women in uniform the very best care and support that they deserve. We are committed as a government to ensuring that takes place.