Veterans Affairs committee  I don't have the specifics on the turnover of the disability adjudicators, but I know for the VSAs and the case managers, there is quite a rollover. We had a bunch of people move over to the deck unit, and others are actively looking to leave the department and/or find other posi

Veterans Affairs committee  Okay. Without negatively, potentially, impacting the service to the veterans, no.

Veterans Affairs committee  Well, we actually have employees working all across Canada and, given the pandemic situation, we've been able to show that the work can be done from anywhere where the qualification is. So absolutely, we can have positions in any province across the country in any community acros

Veterans Affairs committee  Well, I'm hoping that we never get to the point of not seeing service centres for Veterans Affairs in any of the provinces and communities. We fought very hard to get the nine offices reopened that were closed, because that has a negative impact on the service being provided to o

Veterans Affairs committee  We still see a backlog, even with the additional hiring. It does take time to learn all of the legislation, policies and procedures that are required and that are in place for veterans applying for benefits. We do still see a backlog and we're still waiting for staff to be fully

Veterans Affairs committee  From the last update I had, they are continuing to hire for those positions. I'm not sure from the department, because I am waiting for an update from it, how many are actively and fully in seat, trained, and ready to go.

Veterans Affairs committee  If I can get the information from the department, I don't see why it can't be shared. I am still waiting for information from a meeting at the beginning of October.

Veterans Affairs committee  That would come down to the policies and the legislation put in place by the government and the processes that are in place in the department that follow the legislation that is in place. We have no control over how legislation is put in place.

Veterans Affairs committee  It would be in my folder.

Veterans Affairs committee  Well, I'm glad you asked that question because it gives me an opportunity to clarify my previous remarks to the committee. First of all, I want to acknowledge that there are many bilingual people in Charlottetown and on Prince Edward Island. It was never my intention to say othe

Veterans Affairs committee  I was not smearing any members in any way, shape or form, Mr. Casey. It was.... The way I put it out, I said to pull those positions out. It was never meant to say pull those positions out. I'm clarifying my testimony to you. There are not enough bilingual qualified positions or

Veterans Affairs committee  I have talked to the PIPSC representative.

Veterans Affairs committee  She is not aware of the specific comments that were made, but Doreen and I have had a conversation in regard to the committee.

Veterans Affairs committee  Well, as I said, there was no smearing of members in any way, shape or form, but if that is what you are requesting, I apologize for anything that I did to upset you, Mr. Casey.

Veterans Affairs committee  Thank you. Because there are many layers to the process of veterans applying, it would be very hard in this amount of time to sink it down to one.