Veterans Affairs committee  Yes. I served in Yugoslavia, under UNPROFOR, back in 1993-94.

Veterans Affairs committee  I don't really like to classify veterans in different groups. Veterans are veterans, whether they served in the Second World War or whether they served in Yugoslavia.

Veterans Affairs committee  Thank you for that question. That's an excellent question. Things have progressively gotten worse since the original new Veterans Charter from the Second World War, in that after the Second World War there were 69 veterans who became members of Parliament. Therefore, the programs for the Second World War and Korean veterans, later on, became great programs, such as education, help with starting their own businesses.

Veterans Affairs committee  Yes.

Veterans Affairs committee  It was a letter from the stakeholders on the Veterans Affairs Canada stakeholder committee. They are from all the veterans groups, including the Royal Canadian Legion, the ANAVETS, the National Council of Veteran Associations, CAVUNP, CPVA, and Veterans of Canada. We all signed a demand letter asking the minister to consider the special needs advisory group recommendations, the new Veterans Charter advisory group recommendations, and the geriatric advisory group recommendations.

Veterans Affairs committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, members of the committee. Thank you, guests. Hello from the heart of Reform country in Calgary, Alberta. As a severely injured veteran, I thank you for this opportunity to speak today. I'm sorry that I'm not there in person, but it would seem that there is a culture in today's society, in both government and with large corporations, that personal freedom and privacy of individuals are not important.