National Defence committee  Well, if somebody can build a better mouse trap, I'll be the first champion. If we can come up with a program outside what I've considered that is more efficient and more effective, then you'll hear me. I'll be a champion across the country saying we have it right, but I'll also put a critical eye to anything we're going to introduce.

National Defence committee  Well, that goes right back to the core of my report. When a member presents themselves with an injury or a malady, the first thing we fill out is a form called a CF 98. On that form there's a place to say where the accident or the injury happened and what the member was doing at the time.

National Defence committee  When I took over the position, the first thing I wanted to do was find out where the ombudsman had been. We're located in Ottawa, and we do a lot of engagement in Ontario and Quebec. In each of those provinces we attend at least 15 to 20 separate committees, organizations, and family resource centres, or whatever it might be.

National Defence committee  In 2013, this office released the military families report, which was a very large, extensive review done on families and their concerns. Several of the issues were highlighted. Some are still ongoing, and one was finding services when you move to another location. What we will do when we release the report of those recommendations is to keep following up with the department to find out what the latest report has in it.

National Defence committee  Once we receive all updates we publish them, but I will make sure the committee receives a copy.

National Defence committee  I did specifically look at how many complaints we've received on SISIP. We have received 14 complaints on SISIP over the last two years. Eight of those were for information purposes, and in the remaining six cases, it was just a question of getting the right people to speak. What my office has found in looking at SISIP is that they seem to have a very quick turnaround time—within two weeks.

National Defence committee  That is specific to the boards of inquiry. We released a report back in 2015 highlighting some of the issues surrounding the boards of inquiry. We were very pleased at the time that the chief of the defence staff accepted our recommendations to do a further review, and we've been working very closely with the department.

National Defence committee  Thank you for the question. As you say, the transitioning piece is very difficult at times, especially when the end of a career is not your choice, and you have to leave because of a medical reason. I think that because of the process we have in place, we aggravate that whole episode.

National Defence committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good morning to all. I am grateful for the opportunity to speak to you about my work as National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces ombudsman. I propose to briefly review what my office has been doing lately, describe some major projects we are working on, and indicate the critical focus we are placing on problems faced by members of the military when they transition to civilian life.

Veterans Affairs committee  That number is just a total of the two budgets of the Canadian Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Canada. I'm talking about an expenditure of $4.7 million a year, I think, to bring these concierges in. I do believe it will have to be a ramped-up cost. I don't think we would hire all of them the first year.

Veterans Affairs committee  In my opinion, yes.

Veterans Affairs committee  The only thing I'd like to say in closing is, first of all, thank you for the opportunity to be here today. I know the department is doing a defence policy review, and I've said before it's sucking a lot of the oxygen out of the room. I am cautiously optimistic. I'm hearing the right things, that a lot of these things are being considered and should find their way into that document.

Veterans Affairs committee  No. I could do the math if I had a couple of minutes and a calculator, but proportionately if I bring in 1,000 and currently I have a force strength of about 55,000 to 60,000 and I'm losing 8% on attrition and then about 2% of those are medical releases, so say 28 out of the thousand.

Veterans Affairs committee  We need to ensure that a releasing member has quality of life. I'm not going to say what I think that looks like, but I believe it includes access to all financial services to which they are entitled. It means having a secure medical path forward. It means their families are fully informed and aware of what's happening, but I wouldn't put a dollar value on it.

Veterans Affairs committee  I really can't answer that question. If we go back and look at how the process is supposed to work once the injury or illness takes place, and we fill out the proper forms.... Let's just step outside the Canadian Armed Forces for a second. Let's look at any workers compensation board across the country.