Veterans Affairs committee  That is correct. There would be no distinction in the new Veterans Charter for class B and C reservists in terms of the financial benefits they would be receiving.

Veterans Affairs committee  The ombudsman would report directly to the minister and not the department, in bringing forward veterans' issues. Both Mr. Hillier and I have regular meetings with the ombudsman, because we need to find out what's going on from a veteran's point of view. He may find a veteran w

Veterans Affairs committee  Part of what we're trying to do in transforming the way the departments work is to strengthen our linkages with the Canadian Forces. There are several examples of that. We recently initiated tours, which were facilitated by the Canadian Forces, of all the various bases across the

Veterans Affairs committee  No, we've gone through our departmental review and it has been submitted.

Veterans Affairs committee  That's correct.

Veterans Affairs committee  They're political decisions made by the Treasury Board.

Veterans Affairs committee  If I may just give you the specific number for 2005, it was $2.853 billion.

Veterans Affairs committee  There's a departmental deficit reduction action plan exercise that all government departments are going through. All government departments are looking at their policies, programs, and efficiencies, to come up with proposals of 5% and 10%. Veterans Affairs is going through that e

Veterans Affairs committee  If I may have a couple minutes, Mr. Chair. Our policy framework or policies are overly complex right now. They look like legal documents, and we want them to be clear, we want them to speak for themselves, so that the brave men and women who have these benefits can understand th

Veterans Affairs committee  Yes.

Veterans Affairs committee  Yes. Ms. Adams, if I could add to what my colleague said, that is correct. And in the last five years, the increase has been $700 million. Since 2005, the accumulated increase to the budget of Veterans Affairs has been $3.1 billion.

Veterans Affairs committee  The total budget is....

Veterans Affairs committee  That is cumulatively over the five years.