Parm Gill

[Attack on Amritsar Temple, June 3rd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, 30 years ago today marks a dark and difficult chapter in India's history. The June 1984 Indian army attack, named Operation Blue Star, on the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, one of the holiest sites for Sikhs, led to the killing of thousands of innocent pilgrims.

Today, on the anniversary of this horrible attack, we remember the innocent lives lost and their families. Their memories will live as a constant reminder of the importance of defending the fundamental values of democracy, rule of law, and human rights for all. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those who were affected by this tragedy.

[Veterans Hiring Act, June 2nd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, let me start by thanking the hon. minister for his hard work on the veterans file and everything he does on a day-to-day basis to help Canada's veterans, and for his commitment and dedication. I have had the opportunity to work with him and I have witnessed this first-hand.

I also want to thank the minister for a number of initiatives he has brought forward since he has taken over the file, including initiatives in economic action plan 2014 and bringing this piece of legislation forward.

I wonder if the minister could highlight some of the positive impacts that this piece of legislation might have on Canada's veterans in transition to civilian life. Also, I wonder if he could tell us whether the unions support this legislation.

[Committees of the House, May 30th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the second report of the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs in relation to its study on the main estimates 2014-15.

[Veterans Affairs, May 30th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I find it extremely rich coming from that member and that party. Under their government, our men and women in uniform suffered decades of darkness.

Since coming to office, our government has brought forward almost $5 billion in new funding, new benefits, and new services for our veterans. It is that party that has voted against virtually every single initiative we have brought forward. I would encourage them to stop playing partisan games and get on board for the benefit of our veterans.

[Veterans Affairs, May 30th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, veterans, stakeholders, members of Parliament, senators, and experts have all called upon Veterans Affairs to improve its communication with Canadian veterans. If veterans are unaware of the programs and services available to them, they simply will not use them. With this new campaign, Veterans Affairs Canada will spend approximately one-tenth of one per cent on advertising.

[Veterans Affairs, May 30th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, that member knows full well that the minister appeared at a committee meeting yesterday . We had bells ringing for votes in the House. As a matter of fact, the minister stayed extra time to appear before the committee, and there were only a few minutes left before we had to vote in the House.

That being said, the minister regularly travels throughout this country to meet with Canada's veterans and their families, as all members of this side of House, I can assure the member, regularly meet and listen to—

[Veterans Affairs, May 30th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, each year Veterans Affairs invests $3.5 billion, of which 90% goes directly to veterans' services. Less than 1% of the total budget is spent on advertising. For every dollar spent on advertising, Veterans Affairs spends more than $800 on programs and benefits for veterans themselves.

[Veterans Affairs, May 30th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the services and programs available to Canadian veterans are wide-ranging and among the best in the world. Veterans have access to a network of 4,800 mental health professionals nationwide, top-of-the-line medical treatment, and generous financial benefits.

It is important that we communicate with Canadian veterans to ensure they are aware of the services and programs available to them.

[Veterans Affairs, May 30th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I can assure my hon. colleague and all members in this House, as they know full well, that the minister is deeply concerned and cares about Canada's veterans. As a matter of fact, Canadians know full well that this government has a strong record when it comes to defending our veterans, when it comes to caring and providing benefits and services. That is exactly the reason we have invested almost $5 billion in new additional funding since coming to office. We will continue to stand up for Canada's veterans, even though the New Democrats and the Liberals will vote against every single initiative.

[Veterans Affairs, May 30th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, in respect of the veteran's privacy, we cannot speak about any assistance, support, or contact that might have been provided to him or his family. That said, veterans with PTSD are eligible for a full suite of benefits and programs, including rehabilitation and financial support. As I reported several weeks ago, Veterans Affairs has been in touch with this individual and his family, at the minister's direction.