Veterans Affairs committee  No.

Veterans Affairs committee  You must have worked for the Canadian Armed Forces.

Veterans Affairs committee  In many cases, the individual filed a claim a number of years previously but his claim was refused. So he comes back and asks to have his case reviewed. Indeed, some people have come to see us with a colleague to have their case reviewed so that they can receive a disability pension for a knee injury that they received during World War II.

Veterans Affairs committee  They never received a pension because they never claimed one.

Veterans Affairs committee  It's another generation.

Veterans Affairs committee  In my opinion, veterans are quite familiar with the compensation system.

Veterans Affairs committee  No, 6 500. We only hear appeals. All veterans seeking a disability pension must first go through the Department. In these cases, the individual completes the claim form and asks to receive a pension for a disability connected to his military service. Then the Department makes a decision.

Veterans Affairs committee  Yes, there has been thought given to that. But logistically, it is extremely complex and it would also be extremely expensive. One avenue for the persons who can't travel to Charlottetown is to listen in on the presentation being made by the advocate. The second avenue is to make sure they get a copy of the written submission.

Veterans Affairs committee  I know it is.

Veterans Affairs committee  Yes, sir.

Veterans Affairs committee  The only thing I should do, and I do, is try to influence the quality of the work that comes to the board for review. That I can surely participate in and have made recommendations to the department. I need a good file. I need a good first-level decision. I can work better that way: “This is what I suggest you do”, and the department can do it or not.

Veterans Affairs committee  Sure.

Veterans Affairs committee  I don't believe there are any more World War I veterans.

Veterans Affairs committee  To be perfectly frank, I'd say we rarely see such cases.

Veterans Affairs committee  I can give you examples. We see claims from World War II veterans, claims for...