National Defence committee  No, that's okay. That's the goal, but we don't have the help we need. For example, the Canadian Forces could say that some veterans have created something for the community and that they're going to help us, but unfortunately we don't have that support. So if you are able to do

National Defence committee  I agree. We need help when we come out of the forces. Someone has to be there to support us and not leave us to our own devices. I would also recommend that the commanders strictly follow the mandatory programs that are presented every year. Disciplinary action must also be tak

National Defence committee  As I explained to you earlier, pet therapy is really the third type of therapy for which I paid. In 2015, when the harassment was at its peak, a small dog, a Yorkshire Terrier, came into my life. I thank him every day for saving my life. My dog follows me everywhere. He allows me

National Defence committee  I would agree. You really need to get the help you need and not be ashamed of it. You have to be brave and go bang on some doors. If you're in Quebec City, or if you come to Quebec City, you can visit our café. You can also access the website of the Café Félin Ma Langue Aux Chats

National Defence committee  Often, suicides aren't counted because they are passed off as something else, or simply because the person is said to have died by suicide for personal reasons and not for reasons related what they experienced in the forces. Often, too, this will be covered up by saying it was an

National Defence committee  We talk to the person's family and friends and we watch their behaviour. Sometimes they confide in us. At the coffee shop that I bought, at one point, someone started crying as he was petting one of our cats. He let it out. He was having suicidal thoughts. I chatted with him and

National Defence committee  We are always referred to the ombudsman for all sorts of things. He is like our ultimate tool, and he becomes our advocate. In my case, I called and asked for help because I owed Manulife $25,000 after I bought a business to help me, in addition to helping my colleagues and the

National Defence committee  Exactly. When you go out, you are already affected by taking medication and you lose your memory. In my case, in terms of Canadian Forces and VAC services, it's a monumental flop. I wasn't adequately supported in my transition. They blamed me and said I should have transitioned

National Defence committee  Exactly. It's seen as disciplinary action. We're being cornered. I was put in an office with the person who was harassing me. I wasn't on the premises with them, but I was put direclty in line with them and made to feel like I was the problem, not the Canadian forces. We're bein

National Defence committee  Thank you.

National Defence committee  It is a huge taboo in the Canadian Armed Forces. Even among colleagues, we don't want to be labelled as having a mental health issue or suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. When I was told, the first thought I had was that I hadn't been to Afghanistan, so I couldn't be

National Defence committee  Thank you for your question, Mr. Brunelle-Duceppe. People are being treated far too late, until they are at the end of their rope. For me, personally, it wasn't until I said I was going to do magic that I was taken seriously. We always said we didn't break the rules of the Canad

National Defence committee  That's a very good question. In my case, when I went to the second floor for help and was taken seriously, I was given a doctor's note. In the Canadian Armed Forces, when you're on leave, you can't be more than 50 kilometres from home. My family is in New Brunswick, and I live i

National Defence committee  Digressing a bit, I would mention language. I have friends with post-traumatic stress disorder and they don't speak English. They were sent to the military base in Trenton, where no one spoke French. They were harassed because of their language. They were mocked because they spok

National Defence committee  Good morning, everyone. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my experience with you. I was a member of the forces. I am a veteran, currently. I worked for 12 years in the Canadian Armed Forces as a supply technician; I worked in several departments. I now suffer fr