Veterans Affairs committee  Someone mentioned the difference in burden of proof. I have dealt with the U.S. military and helped U.S. veterans access their programs. They have a different attitude toward being accountable for public monies. It's not “discretion”, but “due diligence“ is the term here. We do

Veterans Affairs committee  It would be a good initiative. In our testimony, we explained that the numbers of programs, and the overlap, and reliance, and labyrinth of them all, is such that extensive training would be needed to fulfill that role. It would be a tremendous suggestion to have this one person

Veterans Affairs committee  The timeline is a function of having the people. Generally speaking, according to the regulations at present, the case is presented by either a Legion service officer or a Bureau of Pensions Advocates lawyer. There is a shortage of Bureau of Pensions Advocates lawyers. Demograp

Veterans Affairs committee  I could answer parts of it, but I believe you've had testimony already from the Legion. I read their testimony. Service officers exist in various capacities at the Legion. At the Dominion Command level, they have the service bureau, which has trained service officers who have ac

Veterans Affairs committee  You get a pamphlet. I could have brought it with me. It describes a whole bunch of things, including the various benefits that were available to a veteran at the time the book was published. This is changing as we speak. I agree that education should continue throughout the serv

Veterans Affairs committee  Very much so. Your question is whether a releasing veteran would be a good case manager. You're looking at one. I've been a service officer now for 18 years. I've had all sorts of training. Lots of veterans would volunteer to work as service officers when they take their dischar

Veterans Affairs committee  It's the same comment I've made several times. This concept is being pursued jointly by Veterans Affairs Canada and the Defence Department with the establishment of joint support personnel units right across every military base, jointly staffed by Veterans Affairs case managers a

Veterans Affairs committee  When Veterans Affairs was doing their own downsizing in a previous era, they chose to do away with their program evaluation section.

Veterans Affairs committee  Yes.

Veterans Affairs committee  In answer to another part of your question, I would recommend strongly to this panel that you ask the co-chairs, one from Defence and one from Veterans Affairs, to come to speak to you about the role of the joint support units. It's an innovation.

Veterans Affairs committee  You should get both together to explain how the hand-off occurs. That would answer many of the questions you've already posed.

Veterans Affairs committee  I mentioned in our CPVA testimony that you should look at the long-term disability provisions in the service income security insurance plan. It is an impediment to the veteran getting care from Veterans Affairs. I can give you an anecdotal example, but the chair has limited me to

Veterans Affairs committee  I have been intimately involved with helping a number of veterans. This particular veteran was released from the Canadian military with the diagnosis of a mental disorder. The Veterans Affairs counsellors in that region did a super job. They did what they are supposed to. They co

Veterans Affairs committee  You've already had testimony from the legion concerning the monies they've set aside to look for the homeless veterans. Provinces have become involved too, as has ANAVETS, and others. It comes down to a part of your study, the mental care of veterans, including PTSD and the issue

Veterans Affairs committee  I don't know if you've had testimony from the defence department in this area, but I've read the testimony of the deputy minister when he talked about the releasing process. There is an accommodation process within the military. When you're injured, they will retain you for a per