Public Accounts committee  A member of the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs asked a similar question. It comes down to using a consistent indicator. We created one at the beginning of the fiscal year, and it will be used for our quarterly reporting. We have already cut wait times for francophone applicants by nearly 10 weeks.

Public Accounts committee  As I think both Ms. Huggins and I have indicated, we are working very closely and collaboratively on this. In fact, we have a joint oversight committee that began its work before the report came out, to address this matter and to bring forward the costing considerations so that we can properly address these matters.

Public Accounts committee  We have made that adjustment, honourable member. As I indicated in my opening comments, one issue we have addressed, which has been in place since the beginning of this fiscal year, April 1, is the calculation of the time. It includes the receipt of payment by the veteran. That has been factored in.

Public Accounts committee  Honourable member, we've taken a number of initiatives around this, acknowledging that the data is an area that we need to improve in terms of both our understanding and our use, and then its application. We've created a data stewards committee through the work of our chief digital officer.

Public Accounts committee  Mr. Chair, I very much accept and appreciate the question from the honourable member. I don't share shame; I share a challenge. I share the absolute underlining that we are here to provide care and respect to our veterans, one by one—not just in large numbers, but one by one to each veteran who comes forward to us seeking that interest.

Public Accounts committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you for the invitation to be with the committee here today with my colleagues and to address an issue that is of a critical nature in our department's service and response to our veterans. We very much appreciate the effort that went into the Auditor General's report about the processing of disability benefits for veterans, and the recommendations that came out of it.

Veterans Affairs committee  We are reviewing files right across the department for any references that may have been raised.

Veterans Affairs committee  We have undertaken that review and have been able to determine that there was a single incident—

Veterans Affairs committee  We've undertaken the review of all the files.

Veterans Affairs committee  The file review has been completed.

Veterans Affairs committee  That's correct.

Veterans Affairs committee  We have established that this was raised by the veteran.

Veterans Affairs committee  No, they cannot.

Veterans Affairs committee  It was strictly confined to that issue—

Veterans Affairs committee  It's based on the file note.