Mr. Speaker, I am here again today to talk about the immense wait list for veterans across Canada. We know that veterans who are facing multiple challenges are having a further challenge of not being able to get their disability pension. In fact, well over 40,000 veterans are now on the wait list.
A report from the Parliamentary Budget Officer highlighted the fact that if an investment of just over $120 million were made over the next few years, Veterans Affairs would be able to address two fundamental things. First, it would be able to get through the terrible wait list, which many members have been on for more than a year, in one year. Second, the Parliamentary Budget Officer pointed out that this plan would ensure it never happened again. This is incredibly important.
We know that Veterans Affairs workers have been very clear. They are doing the very best they can. They are working very hard, but they cannot get to the end of the wait list because they simply do not have enough people to do the work. With this situation, we are seeing a higher level of burnout of caseworkers and veterans are falling behind because there is simply is not the staff to support them.
I am very confused about why the minister keeps talking about the hires Veterans Affairs is making as temporary positions. It is very clear from the significant wait list that it is not a temporary job. Long-term jobs need to be there to support our veterans.
It is very important that the Liberals take responsibility for making the choices they have made and stop blaming the Conservatives, although I agree the Conservatives did cut back significantly on the places veterans could go to get the support they needed and also cut staffing. That is partially why we are where we are today, but the government has had five years to get it right and it still has not done it.
We also have heard that because of COVID-19, the application process could become even harder, so the wait list is going to grow immensely. There was recently a Globe and Mail article that quoted Brian Forbes, chairman of the National Council of Veterans Associations, which represents over 60 veterans serving organizations. He said, “The reason the new applications are down is because advocates like ourselves are facing the reality that without medical evidence, they're not going to give us a decision.” Here we are, more veterans waiting longer.
I also asked another question earlier this month. The government is spending money to fight veterans in court. One of the most terrible examples is Mr. Charles Scott, a veteran who has sadly had to sue the ministry to get action. The member for Edmonton Strathcona, his MP, updates me regularly on this very sad case. Mr. Scott's file had been lost in the pile due to many factors. This reflects the fact that there is not enough staff to address the urgent needs of veterans. Because of this, Mr. Scott lost his chance to lock in the supplementary career replacement benefits before the system was phased out.
This is wrong. He fought for our country and now because of the choices the government has made, he is in a position where he is fighting his own country for his rights. We all want to know that veterans are cared for. They step up for us. It is absolutely essential that the government finally steps up for them.
I will not stop fighting for veterans. The wait list is atrocious. Enough excuses, it is time for action.