Mr. Speaker, there was an awful lot packed into those four minutes. The question on notice was in connection with the wreath program. I am happy to shed some light on that. As much as time will allow, I will try to get into the half a dozen questions on the budget.
I want to thank the member for Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound for bringing to the attention of the House and of veterans their service and sacrifice. It is also important to clarify an important commemorative program for the benefit of the hon. member and the House.
Veterans Affairs Canada began the wreaths for parliamentarians program in 1986. It provided one publicly funded wreath for each member of Parliament to lay at a Remembrance Day ceremony organized by the Royal Canadian Legion in their constituency. Made in Canada, the wreaths represent the government's commitment to publicly acknowledging our continuing debt to our veterans for their achievements and sacrifice in the fight for peace.
Each wreath is shipped to parliamentarians in its own protective box and can be ordered by October 24 to arrive in time for Remembrance Day, November 11, each year. Since its inception, the program has evolved. At first, each member of Parliament was issued one wreath. Additional wreaths could be ordered by parliamentarians participating in more than one ceremony. Over time, the program evolved in a way that led to inconsistencies in the number of wreaths provided.
After hearing the hon. member, I think it is obvious that those inconsistencies continue, because the practice in the office of the member of Parliament for Charlottetown has always been to gladly accept the two wreaths that are allocated by Veterans Affairs Canada and then to call the Legion and purchase any additional wreaths that are necessary. I am quite surprised to hear that there is an expectation that that is not the norm. Maybe what I am doing is different, but I know that is the standard in my part of the country.
To distribute wreaths more equitably across the regions, the program now supplies two wreaths to each MP. They can be used by parliamentarians or their delegates at any commemorative event during Veterans' Week, not only those organized by the Royal Canadian Legion. If a member of Parliament or senator needs more wreaths, all they need to do is ask Veterans Affairs Canada, which will procure as many wreaths as the parliamentarian needs. This can be, for example, for more events or to commemorate another veteran or a fallen Canadian Armed Forces member.
Far from forgetting Canada's brave veterans, the government is committed to honouring their memory in ceremonial events organized by Veterans Affairs, the Royal Canadian Legion or other organizations. Rather than limiting wreaths, the department actively supports parliamentarians and others in laying as many wreaths as they need.
The member's question was whether this program is about to come to an end. What I can say is that the program will not come to an end in such a manner that we fail to live up to our obligation to honour the fallen, and it will not come to an end without full consultation and discussion with everyone involved, including parliamentarians.
Let me touch briefly on the half a dozen questions in connection with the budget.
The first one relates to the difference between accrual and cash accounting. The cannabis for veterans program represents a future obligation to veterans to continue to provide medical cannabis. A decision has been made to change the reimbursement rate from $8.50 per gram to the market rate of six dollars. In making this change, there will be less money dispensed going forward. The net present value of the future reduction is reflected in the budget.