Veterans Affairs committee  I think closing the seam when somebody transitions from CAF to civilian life is very important. We're working very hard with Veterans Affairs to enhance the different programs we have. Veterans Affairs will be involved earlier in the process, probably when there's a notification of decision of release.

Veterans Affairs committee  I think the key is to keep the link with the former unit of the military member, if he wishes to do so. That's something we are enhancing to ensure that the communication between the commanders of different operational units across the region is supported, with this approach by the commanding officers in the regions.

Veterans Affairs committee  Actually, the joint personnel support unit deals with medical employment limitations. We deal with the prognosis, not the diagnosis, so we're not aware of the actual medical condition of a member. That would be something that the health services of the Canadian Forces may be able to provide.

Veterans Affairs committee  Again, this is tracked through the....

Veterans Affairs committee  Thank you for your question, madam. In the integrated personnel support centres across the country, there are two streams. There is the services side, which provides the support and the knowledge and the advice on program services and benefits. Also, you have the chain of command, the platoon, which provides for the people who are posted to the JPSU and provides the leadership to the ill and injured.

Veterans Affairs committee  Normally, a member of the Canadian Forces will not be released if he's not stabilized, in the sense of his condition. The medical information, the diagnosis, that's contained in the medical file will be passed on to Veterans Affairs Canada.

Veterans Affairs committee  It's a staff of regular force members, reservist members, and civilians.

Veterans Affairs committee  Exactly.

Veterans Affairs committee  We have 428.

Veterans Affairs committee  Je vous remercie de votre question. In the transition services cell, we're actually looking at matching those qualifications. For example, for somebody who was in the infantry, it's hard to find an equivalent in civilian life. There's a project right now looking at finding those qualifications that can be of value in civilian life for those trades or occupations that you would find on the civilian streets.

Veterans Affairs committee  Monster.ca is also in connection with the transition services cell. We're looking at different third party organizations to assist us in the transition of military personnel.

Veterans Affairs committee  There's actually a working group for this. I could defer that question to my VAC colleagues.

Veterans Affairs committee  Not to my knowledge....

Veterans Affairs committee  Thank you for the question, sir. We're doing everything we can to work together. Here are some interesting facts. In the headquarters here in Ottawa, in the transition services cell, we have two seconded employees from VAC. We also have a liaison officer from VAC within the headquarters.

Veterans Affairs committee  Thank you for the question, sir. It is a challenge. There were many vacant positions within the JPSU across the country, but we have put forth efforts to make sure that we're filling those positions, and I am glad to say that since April we have reduced it to half of the positions.