Veterans Affairs committee  I've had no specific feedback from veterans, but certainly that was something that had been called for by veterans groups and advocates for quite some time.

Veterans Affairs committee  Again, I'm sorry, but I have no specific feedback. Perhaps when we're out meeting we should be looking for some of this, but people typically call us when they're unhappy. We do know that this is a change that our office had advocated for, so we were quite pleased to see it implemented.

Veterans Affairs committee  In general terms we did not receive the anticipated degree of calls from veterans related to pension for life. The majority of our calls were related to seeking to understand the program, particularly for those who were transitioning from the Veterans Well-being Act to pension for life.

Veterans Affairs committee  Yes. We did a significant amount of preparation of our staff to be able to respond to veterans, both before April 1 and after April 1. In fact, we published what I think is a very effective graphical explanation, which we have here and could share with you, to help veterans understand the transition.

Veterans Affairs committee  Having said that, it's complicated. Anytime you transition from a suite of six or seven programs into three, you're going to have some complicated issues to try to explain to folks, but we continue to work through that.

Veterans Affairs committee  No, those are 13 recommendations that our office has made over the course of the time that we've been in existence.

Veterans Affairs committee  Yes.

Veterans Affairs committee  That's both an interesting and a difficult question. They're all of relative importance. We make these recommendations fully aware of the context in which the department receives them, which is that we're not the only organization that's looking at veterans programs and services and making recommendations to the department.

Veterans Affairs committee  Mr. Chair, committee members, thank you for inviting me here today and for providing me with the opportunity to share the results of our 2019 Office of the Veterans Ombudsman Report Card. As mentioned, I'm joined here today by the deputy ombudsman, Sharon Squire. Excuse me if I go back a bit to first principles, as this is my first time to appear before you.

Government Operations committee  Yes, and as a deputy head at the provincial level I was tasked to achieve certain employment equity targets. That certainly focused my attention. Nothing focuses the mind like a target.

Government Operations committee  Some are very good, by the way, and I should highlight that.

Government Operations committee  Establishing targets and treating this as a program will start to get that message out, as Mr. Lick said, and individuals will take it as a core responsibility.

Government Operations committee  It should be as soon as individuals enrol. I think that preparation needs to be throughout an individual's career.

Government Operations committee  This is more for Mr. Lick to speak to, but the approach that is being taken now in CAF and DND reflects a recognition that it needs to start as early as possible. The day they put a uniform on everybody knows that at some point they will be releasing. The sooner that preparation can begin, the better.

Government Operations committee  I'm not aware of anybody in government who has that sort of information.