Parm Gill

[Veterans Affairs, November 7th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, as the Minister of Veterans Affairs and the government, in its response, have made perfectly clear, we agree with the intent and the spirit of most of the recommendations put forward by the committee in a unanimous report.

This is Veterans' Week. This is an opportunity for all Canadians to honour our veterans who have made a tremendous sacrifice. I would encourage the member opposite to stop playing politics, especially this week, and get on board with the government to support Canada's veterans.

[Veterans Affairs, November 7th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, our government believes that we have a responsibility to provide benefits and services to veterans nationally. That is why we have created 600 points of service across this country in areas where a district office did not exist. There are many cities, towns, and regions in this country where veterans now have access to Service Canada locations.

I would like to remind that member that where the offices were closed, we put a fully trained Veterans Affairs Canada employee in those locations, and most were in the same buildings.

[Veterans, November 7th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, our government has a strong record when it comes to standing up for Canada's veterans. It is part of the reason we have invested almost $30 billion since coming to office. That is approximately $4.7 billion in new funds.

Almost every single initiative we have brought forward as a government to help Canada's veterans the opposition has voted against. I would encourage the opposition to stop paying politics and support our initiatives.

[Veterans, November 6th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, we are acting. We have a strong record when it comes to providing benefits and services for Canada's veterans. As a matter of fact, we have invested almost $30 billion since taking office. That is $4.7 billion in additional funding.

I would encourage members opposite to stop playing politics with Canada's veterans before Remembrance Week. If they truly care about Canada's veterans, they need to get on board with the government's initiatives to help Canada's veterans.

[Veterans, November 6th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, we have been perfectly clear that our government agrees with the spirit and the intent of the vast majority of the committee's recommendations. Our response was positive. In fact, we implemented several recommendations right away. We are getting down to work by removing the red tape identified by the committee, making things better for Canada's veterans. We will continue working hard on behalf of Canada's veterans and their families.

[Sikhism, November 6th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, today marks the 545th anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Millions of Sikhs around the world are celebrating the birth of the founder of the Sikh religion, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. His message of peace and respect for all faiths continues to ring true to this day.

As thePrime Minister said today in his statement:

The values of Sikhism, including compassion, justice, and respect, are also Canadian values.

Canada is the proud home of one of the largest and most dynamic Sikh populations outside India. Whether it is in our economic or cultural sectors, Sikhs in Canada have worked tirelessly to help build and define our great nation.

I would like to wish Sikhs around the world a very happy and prosperous Gurpurab.

[Committees of the House, November 6th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I reject the premise of the comment. It was full of misinformation. Since coming to office, we have spent almost $30 billion in Veterans Affairs Canada and that is $4.7 billion in additional funds.

When my colleagues in the opposition talk about cuts to Veterans Affairs and this and that, and spread misinformation, I would like to remind them, especially at this time of the year, to not play politics with Canada's veterans. They deserve far better.

Why do opposition members only remember Canada's veterans in the week leading up to Remembrance Day? They are asleep at the switch throughout the remainder of the year. If they really care for Canada's veterans, I would encourage them to get onboard, help this government provide the benefits and support that veterans need, and stop playing politics.

[Committees of the House, November 6th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Richmond Hill for all of his hard work on this file as well, for serving veterans in his area. I can always count on his co-operation on this file.

As he pointed out, there are many regions, cities and towns where a district office does not exist. The veterans in those areas now have access to the service centres. They can walk in and they can receive the basic information they need, whether it is a form or so on.

The member opposite asked a question on this issue as well and said that the staff in those offices had not received the proper training. I would like to point out that, yes, they have.

To top it off, we also placed a fully experienced Veterans Affairs Canada employee in the Service Canada location, whether it was in the same building where the district office was or the closest to it. In most cases, the Service Canada location was located in the same building where the district office used to be. It only made sense.

Veterans can count on this government to provide the necessary help, support and benefits they deserve. We will continue to stand up for veterans.

[Committees of the House, November 6th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, first and foremost, anyone who goes through any sort of mental health issue, whether they are a veteran, a still-serving member of the Canadian Armed Forces, or a Canadian, needs support. The individuals deserve the medical attention they require. Our government has made investments in those areas as well.

Let me point out that 17 operational stress injury clinics have been established across Canada to support mental health conditions. There are 24 integrated personnel support centres where, for the first time, Veterans Affairs and national defence employees work hand-in-hand to support Canada's men and women in uniform.

We will continue to stand up for Canada's veterans.

[Committees of the House, November 6th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, first and foremost, I would like to point out that our government has a strong record when it comes to investing and providing benefits and services for Canada's veterans, because we appreciate the sacrifices they and their families have made, and the men and women in uniform continue to make. We have invested $4.7 billion, as I pointed out in my remarks, in additional funding because we believe veterans deserve those benefits and those services.

With regard to the office closures, we have to understand that most of these offices were used very little. Some of them had possibly two or three people show up throughout a day. The six centre points of service in Service Canada locations now provide assistance throughout the country.

For example, the riding I represent in Brampton did not have a district office. Veterans in many cities, neighbourhoods and regions had no district office. Where did they go before? They did not drive to a district office closest to them. They called Veterans Affairs Canada whereas now they have access to a Service Canada location where they can go and receive the necessary service.