Jean-Pierre Blackburn

[Veterans Affairs, November 2nd, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I can certainly make that promise because that is what we are in the process of doing. We have already taken a number of measures to correct the mistakes in the new charter and to ensure that our modern-day veterans are protected when they return from Afghanistan with serious injuries. The minimum a veteran returning from Afghanistan with serious injuries will receive will be $58,000 a year in addition to a lump sum payment, a disability allowance, of up to $276,000. It is $58,000 a year plus $276,000.

[Veterans Affairs, November 2nd, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, our government helps veterans. Over the past few months we have invested an additional $2 billion in helping our veterans. We have implemented a number of new measures particularly to help those returning from Afghanistan with serious injuries. We want to make sure their future is financially secure.

I want to remind the hon. member that it was her government that adopted the new veterans charter in 2005. I do not know what the Liberals' intentions were at the time, but ours are different. We do not intend to save money at the expense of the veterans.

[Agriculture and Agri-Food, November 1st, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, the purpose of the consultation is to ensure that consumers, the Consumers' Association of Canada and processors can all agree on the best possible wording. We also conducted another consultation, which is still under way. Of course we expect to be able to report on the results of this consultation in the very near future.

[Veterans Affairs, October 29th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is making reference to lump sum payments. For example, when someone has extremely serious injuries, he or she can receive up to $276,000. Our veterans have asked for greater flexibility on this, and we are getting ready to make changes in the near future to offer options, so that the injured person can make the best choice in consultation with members of his or her family.

[Veterans Affairs, October 29th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind the hon. member that over the past few weeks we have made a lot of changes to support our veterans, in particular our modern-day veterans. Changes will follow the implementation of the new charter.

We have added $2 billion to provide these services and to ensure that our veterans, particularly those who return injured, do not need to be concerned about their financial future. It is in that context that we have made tangible improvements: currently, someone who is seriously injured receives a minimum of $58,000.

[Veterans Affairs, October 25th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, today I have offered our government's sincere regrets to Mr. Bruyea and anyone who may have gone through the same situation.

I wish to report that the Government of Canada is immediately undertaking an expedited mediation procedure in this case. As I said, we will be co-operating with regard to the in-depth audit being conducted by the Privacy Commissioner and we will take action and follow up on the results and recommendations.

Meanwhile, I have already taken measures and actions to ensure that the privacy of veterans is protected.

[Veterans Affairs, October 7th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, it goes without saying that we must respect the privacy and dignity of our veterans.

I can tell the House that all of the recommendations in the commissioner's report will be implemented. All of them. Beyond that, we have already started to review our discipline procedures, and people who commit serious violations, for example, releasing private information, will certainly be disciplined, or even dismissed.

[Sustaining Canada's Economic Recovery Act, October 7th, 2010]

moved that Bill C-47, A second Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 4, 2010 and other measures, be read the second time and referred to a committee.

[Committees of the House, October 7th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 109, I would like to table in the House, in both official languages, two copies of the government's response to the report of the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs entitled “A Timely Tune-up for the Living New Veterans Charter”.

[Veterans Affairs, October 5th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, the new veterans charter, adopted in this House and unanimously accepted by the member and her party, ensures that the focus is now on the rehabilitation of our injured veterans so that they can return to civilian life, continue to achieve their potential, and of course, find jobs. That is the direction we are taking. Furthermore, last week, we announced nearly $2 billion in additional funding to help our veterans and to fix the problems in the new charter that was adopted four years ago.