Veterans Affairs committee  That's correct.

Veterans Affairs committee  Very quickly, Member, the veteran would be referred to their health care professional—to their physician or their nurse practitioner—who would be the only one in a position to provide that kind of guidance.

Veterans Affairs committee  Thanks very much, Member. I think the first reaction was one of surprise, even shock, that this kind of a conversation would take place. The relationship we and the people in our department have with veterans is one that is built on trust, one that is built on service and one that is built on ensuring that the veteran is getting what they need.

Veterans Affairs committee  I think the individual in the circumstances in which this transpired realized while it was transpiring or through the transpiring of this that it had gone to a point that was unacceptable. That doesn't excuse the action, but I think that the individual, the employee, certainly recognized that.

Veterans Affairs committee  I can't speak to that particular last aspect that you are raising, but we did ascertain, as part of this file review and investigation, that this veterans service agent had had a conversation with a veteran previously, a case in which the veteran raised the issue with the veterans service agent.

Veterans Affairs committee  Correct.

Veterans Affairs committee  I'll refer that to my colleague Mr. Harris, but I think it's our Union of Veterans’ Affairs Employees, or UVAE.

Veterans Affairs committee  The union has not taken a public position on this case.

Veterans Affairs committee  That's a very good question. I have not had experience in having to undertake a termination, quite honestly. I know that there are union agreements or collective agreements that guide all of our relationships with our unionized employees. We follow those very closely. Those contain guidelines and rules by which employees are to function and by which employers are to function.

Veterans Affairs committee  I cannot give specifics on this employee, as there are rules to follow. However, I can say that this employee currently has no contact with veterans.

Veterans Affairs committee  I don't know if the union has been involved, but Mr. Harris may have more information on that. The union represents all employees, not just this one.

Veterans Affairs committee  Mr. Harris, has the union made any formal commitments?

Veterans Affairs committee  The minister asked me to lead the investigation. As assistant deputy minister, Mr. Harris is responsible for that whole part of the department. He gives me the report and the information on the investigation. I then pass it on to the minister.

Veterans Affairs committee  We don't have a committee. The fact is that we would like to keep—

Veterans Affairs committee  We would like to keep a distance between those who conduct the investigation and take care of all the details, and those who receive the investigation.