Veterans Affairs committee  It's certainly not my area of expertise, but I can make an effort at responding to that. Again, I think the context one needs to look at is the context of the evolution of the long-term-care bed programming. It was introduced after the war, when we did not have provincial health

Veterans Affairs committee  I'm assuming that under the current program arrangement they would be eligible for care in a community facility, in which case, as I'm sure you understand, the department essentially provides a top-up to what the provincial, depending on the provincial jurisdiction, would pay for

Veterans Affairs committee  If they have service-related...if they're pensioned or they have disability awards for which they're being institutionalized, if you will--

Veterans Affairs committee  I think you're correct in that assumption right at the moment, yes.

Veterans Affairs committee  Again, sir, just for clarification, the context you're referring to is while the member is still serving in the military. Is that correct?

Veterans Affairs committee  With respect to the first question, on case management, certainly we do outreach to communities where we may not necessarily have a district office. Our case managers are folks who have training in this respect and who have the qualifications. They're the ones who broker services

Veterans Affairs committee  In our service delivery framework, as you probably are aware, we have front-line staff, case managers, and client service agents who deal directly with the veteran on a day-to-day basis. They are the ones who develop case plans. They're the ones who work hand in hand with the vet

Veterans Affairs committee  Again, I think the lump sum award has to be viewed in the context of the entire package, the entire suite of programs. The lump sum award is not designed to provide an income support. It's designed basically as a form of compensation and a recognition of the contribution and the

Veterans Affairs committee  Acute medical care is the responsibility of the Canadian Forces for still-serving members, yes.

Veterans Affairs committee  It would be in that context. Again, the Canadian Forces are responsible for their members until the time the member is actually released from the Canadian Forces.

Veterans Affairs committee  Perhaps I can respond to that. Again, as it relates to programming provided by Veterans Affairs Canada, and whether that has to do with determinations on lump sum awards or whether it has to do with access to our rehabilitation programs, those are decisions that are made by Veter

Veterans Affairs committee  A lot of work has actually been done over time in this respect. One of the major challenges we found in that program, previously pensions and now awards, was that injuries were often not adequately documented. Veterans Affairs has worked closely over time with the Canadian Forces

Veterans Affairs committee  You're quite right in pointing out that we have done a lot of work in that regard. The integrated personnel support centres are a good example of that. There are 19 locations where we take back case managers and locate them with the Canadian Forces case managers. The idea is to e

Veterans Affairs committee  We are certainly sensitive to it as an issue. We've had preliminary contact with a number of veterans who received significant amounts of $125,000 or more. The initial feedback we're getting from those contacts is that the majority of these clients or members do seek out financia

Veterans Affairs committee  On two fronts, I think what you're referring to, Mr. Stoffer, is certainly the issue around eligibility for a disability award. In that context, the benefit of the doubt is in fact enshrined in the legislation. Favourable rates for these awards at the moment I believe are in the