Veterans Affairs committee  No, the $150 million was targeted for survivors. It was not to develop the fund. As I mentioned at the outset, the research that we have undertaken we have done within our own operating funding. We have not used that $150 million because that is targeted for survivors. I want t

Veterans Affairs committee  That is why—

Veterans Affairs committee  I am able to provide you with what we know, which is that we're providing the income—

Veterans Affairs committee  If you're referring to the optional survivor benefit, we don't—

Veterans Affairs committee  Yes. What we found from our analysis was that—

Veterans Affairs committee  Could I clarify whether you're referencing the veterans survivors fund or the superannuation acts?

Veterans Affairs committee  With respect to the veterans survivors fund, when budget 2019 was announced we engaged with Statistics Canada, the Canadian Armed Forces and the Department of National Defence to determine what data was available. When we determined that the administrative data related only to th

Veterans Affairs committee  Yes, we have. Through the work we undertook with Statistics Canada, we were able to determine the number of individuals in this population. As I mentioned, it's estimated to be 4,500. Most had higher incomes compared with other Canadian females in the same age group. Over 1,200 s

Veterans Affairs committee  Sure, I'll be very quick. There is the ability. There are low-income gateways as well through the veterans independence program for some primary caregivers for housekeeping and grounds maintenance. There are other opportunities there that we can work through to support those in

Veterans Affairs committee  The focus of the work at Veterans Affairs Canada has been the research on the population and the veterans survivors fund. Given that we do not have jurisdiction over any of the pension plans referenced, whether it's the RCMP Superannuation Act, the Canadian Forces Superannuation

Veterans Affairs committee  What we're doing right now is based on the the qualitative and quantitative research, both of which were inevitably delayed due to the pandemic. I think that's a very key consideration here. Now that we have it, we have been looking at it, and we're now using it to determine the

Veterans Affairs committee  I can't speak to the model from a pension perspective. I can only speak to what Veterans Affairs Canada is providing and what it does. Perhaps my colleagues at the Treasury Board Secretariat would like to weigh in on that.

Veterans Affairs committee  When budget 2019 was announced, as I noted, we had no information about this group of individuals to even know what their needs were or how this fund could properly address their needs. We did not want to create a fund that did not meet the needs of the survivors who were targete

Veterans Affairs committee  I believe Dr. Li indicated that he would make that available. I also want to reiterate that the research, both from Statistics Canada and the study that Dr. Li did, is key to what we're doing right now, which is determining the options and the way forward for the veteran surviv

Veterans Affairs committee  I can share with you the numbers that I shared in my opening remarks of how many individuals were identified by Statistics Canada, the percentage that was female and the percentages that are above and below the low-income median line. We're happy to share that information.