Veterans Affairs committee  That's an excellent point, Monsieur Perron. I'm confused enough, and I've been through this system for years. Yes, we have to minimize the confusion for the soldiers and the veterans. I think they should all have access. The ombudsmen's power will come in the skilled training of its employees, who will be able to vet and do triage at the initial intake of those complaints.

Veterans Affairs committee  This is the first time we've had the honour of tabling a report to committee members, and we're hoping it will be of value to you in your work. I have submitted copies of the report to the six major organizations. I have no idea what they think of it or what they're going to do with it.

Veterans Affairs committee  That's not so.

Veterans Affairs committee  My wife.

Veterans Affairs committee  Je m'excuse. Is it possible to get the question of Monsieur Perron clarified? The boss of what?

Veterans Affairs committee  Sir, at the VRAB level or at the departmental level?

Veterans Affairs committee  I'd like to read a quote that was--

Veterans Affairs committee  For sure. The Woods committee noted--and I'll have to find that for you in a second. The problem is there's still far too much secrecy at the pension adjudication system within the department. We don't know who makes those decisions and we don't know on what basis they make those decisions; there's no consistency in terms of the documents or letters that are sent out after the decisions are made.

Veterans Affairs committee  That's a very important consideration. If they exist in an accordant jurisdiction, then the linking is not a problem in terms of cooperation between DND, CF, and Veterans Affairs Canada. However, if they are to be both independent and separate, then there has to be a liaison between the two because there is much overlap.

Veterans Affairs committee  I don't want to take a broad-brush approach because there are some excellent employees in Veterans Affairs Canada, and, from what I understand, some of the people on VRAB are excellent people. There is a problem, perhaps, with management of the entire system. The consistency that we see is that there seems to be a real lack of ability, especially at the headquarters level, in understanding what it is to deal with a disabled client.

Veterans Affairs committee  Thank you, sir. With reference to the question about more bureaucracy, in government we must always be concerned about creating more bureaucracy than necessary. However, there is a misconception in some circles about what an ombudsman does--I've heard that comment before. An ombudsman exists outside the bureaucracy, as a sort of mail clerk who's able to look at the volume of mail coming in and put it in the right spot, and to see from the outside the big picture, what needs to be done.

Veterans Affairs committee  It is Bruyea. That's correct.

Veterans Affairs committee  Thanks. Good afternoon, Chairman and other committee members. I thank you all for inviting us here today. More importantly, I congratulate all of you on the creation of the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs. I am Sean Bruyea, and joining me here today are Perry Gray and Tom Hoppe.