Veterans Affairs committee  From what I heard this morning in the conversation, the veterans in the room were asked questions about what they would like to see on the card, how the card could be used, and what it would look like. There was talk about enabling it with chip technology, that it could be expandable.

Veterans Affairs committee  Was that to get a family doctor?

Veterans Affairs committee  I'd say he was probably right. What I'm saying is that the malady for which he's releasing, that continuing care, has to be in place, whether it's through Calian or wherever they're contracting these medical professionals from. The malady and the maintenance of that has to be in place prior to release, and probably not through a family doctor.

Veterans Affairs committee  Once the medical malady is discovered and has been reported, the member will go to TCat they call it, which is a temporary category. At that point medical attention is brought to bear, rehabilitation, physiotherapy, whatever that may be, and the person may almost be ready. He'll then get an extension to another TCat probably and stay there until he returns to work.

Veterans Affairs committee  I know there is a VAC presence in the JPSU. I know they engage at various times, depending on the member and the malady. I think it's a good thing to have that type of presentation on the ground to be able to respond to questions. I think they work extremely well together. They try to find ways to make things move as quickly as possible.

Veterans Affairs committee  There is a problem for some military members to return to base, but I think we have to go back to the general rule. Those assigned to the JPSU for most intents and purposes are on base. Let's say it's the 80/20 rule. I believe that other piece, that 20%, also needs a soft place to fall.

Veterans Affairs committee  I do believe that's where we need to end up. I think you've nailed it. I'm not an IT guy. My VCR is still flashing 12:00. I do believe that what technology allows us now is to build a platform that we can use as an education tool and a benefit tool while the member is serving. The connection to My VAC Account, I think, would be the next logical step.

Veterans Affairs committee  Thank you for the question. It's a difficult one. We talked earlier about resources and what would be required. I do believe that the surgeon general's shop may need some additional resources to help with this, but we need to go back to the beginning. When an accident or an injury takes place, the Canadian Armed Forces fills out a document called the “CF 98”.

Veterans Affairs committee  Thank you for the question. It's a great one. I think this goes directly to the concierge service. There are a few things we need to remember. Though a member may be suffering a malady, they are still individuals. They should be allowed to self-actualize some of what their future looks like.

Veterans Affairs committee  When I talk about a concierge service, I think there are certain obligations we have under legislation, under policy, and under regulation. When I talk about the concierge service, it's because we need to get the releasing member what they're entitled to. What the third parties do—my hat is off to all of them—is good work, but it's a very diverse group of people.

Veterans Affairs committee  There are two things here. First of all, Veterans Affairs Canada has My VAC Account. They do track the application process, where it is in the stream, and so forth. That's not what I'm talking about. What I'm talking about is when a Canadian Armed Forces member is releasing, there are many things at the end of a career, penson being one, and last posting being a another.

Veterans Affairs committee  That's where the efficiency and effectiveness would come from this program. Once you've gone through a repeated pattern a few times, you should be able to pick up the commonalities. With the commonalities, then, let's attack that commonality. What is causing that malady? That's for the Canadian Armed Forces to go back and review, but what do we need to do now to make the process easier going into Veterans Affairs Canada?

Veterans Affairs committee  I think you'd have to have a physical presence in the larger centres where we're having the most retirements, people leaving the Canadian Armed Forces. As an example, this week on our web page we've released a live chat. We can chat with members as they are going through filling out a form or if they have a question.

Veterans Affairs committee  Technology gives us a host of possibilities.

Veterans Affairs committee  I need to get on the record and make it very clear that there is a veterans ombudsman.