National Defence committee  Yes, that's actually one of our roles. Even though we look at individual cases, we look at the process. So if someone has been treated unfairly, hopefully the recommendations and solutions we propose will help, so that the same thing doesn't happen to the next person.

National Defence committee  It depends. Certainly our mandate requires us to resolve things at the lowest possible level. I'd say probably 90% of our cases are dealt with that way. When we're not successful in resolving them, if it's a very important issue we go forward and put it in writing and give them

National Defence committee  The committee was set up because, when the office was created, the ombudsman and his senior staff had no experience of the military community, and the members of the committee... We had in a couple of retired members and current members, just to give ideas. It was just sort of a

National Defence committee  Yes, it is very useful.

National Defence committee  We get many complaints. One of our top five is release categories. Certainly we do look at whether someone has been properly released, because certain benefits flow from your release category. We certainly have been successful in some cases in getting the release category changed

National Defence committee  We're still in the process of reviewing and analyzing our data, but certainly we have found that in general, from our interviews with CF members, they certainly see the family as part of their getting better. So we do think there needs to be more done there.

National Defence committee  Exactly, yes.

National Defence committee  We certainly hope to be making some specific recommendations on that.

National Defence committee  I can comment generally on that issue. Certainly the need for qualified medical caregivers is felt throughout Canada, and the CF has to be in a position to compete for qualified people. Also, another thing we are looking at generally is how to deal with burnout. If they're treati

National Defence committee  It's an issue throughout society right now.

National Defence committee  I don't think I'm in a position to answer that at this point.

National Defence committee  The department would be better to answer that question.

National Defence committee  In theory, the complaint resolution mechanisms available should solve problems for people quickly and easily. We're an office of last resort. When they go to the system it should work; if it doesn't, that's when we step in. We also have a role to make systemic observations, and w

National Defence committee  Certainly Edmonton is a very busy base. They've had a couple of rotations go out of there, so it's good that money is being spent in Edmonton. Certainly, though, we have found that there needs to be a national strategic coordination to make sure the money being spent is properly

National Defence committee  That's the general finding we made in our further examination, that there does appear to be more national leadership required.