National Defence committee  It is as though we lost a member of our family. That said, many cases of suicide cannot be explained. We do not have any answer, unless the person left a note where he explains the reason for his act. Members have a professional life, but they also have family lives. There are ma

National Defence committee  Oftentimes, we can make changes immediately. If we receive a suggestion that seems very reasonable and we can change something, we can do so immediately, so long as we are not talking about legislative change. In those cases there is no delay.

National Defence committee  Certainly...

National Defence committee  Here again, a specific program would have to be put in place for that. There are so very many programs that it is hard to answer your question in a general way. We take all of these suggestions and recommendations we receive very seriously. When we provide training sessions, I i

National Defence committee  I would say that with regard to the majority of the 10% who are leaving and who not as happy, they either believe they should have been retained or they perhaps would have liked to stay longer in the armed forces, which in their case unfortunately just wasn't possible. Everything

National Defence committee  That's an excellent point. That's the importance of the return to work program. The return to work program can be as simple as, at the beginning, somebody just going to the gym three times a week. A lot of those who are suffering from operational stress injuries want to be quie

National Defence committee  No, there are no set deadlines. Until the person is stable, treatment cannot progress. In certain cases, it lasts four or five years. For instance, some of the people who were injured in Afghanistan in 2006 will be released shortly. We had to wait until now for them to be suffici

National Defence committee  Normally, when there is a transition committee, the member then has six months to three years. However, to reach that point, very often, three, four or even five years may go by until the person's condition stabilizes.

National Defence committee  Are you talking about medical treatment?

National Defence committee  For instance, in the case of a member who was in the armed forces in 2006 who is to be released soon, the decision will be made as quickly as possible. In fact, we give him at least six months after the notice of release. That is the strict minimum. However, if there are complex

National Defence committee  All of our programs are for everyone, whether they concern a war injury, someone who has cancer or some other injury. We treat all of our injured and sick members in the same way. Regarding women, there are women who work in each of our centres. So, if the person is more comfort

National Defence committee  It is something to think about. I thank you.

National Defence committee  A very important development that happened recently within the health services is that they are preparing a video with a number of people who've suffered from operational stress injuries, people who volunteered to come forward and tell their stories to incite others to seek care.

National Defence committee  Yes, absolutely. It's going to be a professional production. On your other question, we have the joint speakers bureau. They go to all the leadership courses in the armed forces and to any professional development session that a commanding officer would ask them to. They will p

National Defence committee  Thank you for your question. The short answer is the following: yes, I think that the length of the process is reasonable. Each case is studied on its own merits. A physician does not make a final pronouncement until the individual's condition is stable.