Veterans Affairs committee  I don't entirely agree, Mr. Chair. At the time, we had to find ways to address certain issues that had come up during the process. It was just about figuring out the key components and the process we should follow.

Veterans Affairs committee  I don't recall that.

Veterans Affairs committee  The discussions were always about identifying the key components and perspectives. For us, at VAC, it was always about figuring out what the objectives were and what veterans were asking for.

Veterans Affairs committee  I wasn't the one who decided that. It was really about finding the best way to meet the needs and demands of the veterans...

Veterans Affairs committee  If you'll permit, Mr. Chair, that has been responded to and those payments have been corrected to those women as part of the Merlo Davidson. In fact, the minister recently received a letter from the ombud underlining and confirming her appreciation of the attention on this file.

Veterans Affairs committee  We have engaged with RCMP women veterans groups and the leadership and have encouraged that communication to go out within that network and invited others to come forward. We certainly have encouraged that. We have not seen any come forward to this point.

Veterans Affairs committee  Mr. Chair, I was the one at the meeting, among others, to represent the department.

Veterans Affairs committee  Mr. Chair, two departments, VAC and the Department of Canadian Heritage, were jointly responsible for this file. It's always important to focus on important files, and that was our goal in this case.

Veterans Affairs committee  A lot more analysis was done, and it showed that the situation in Afghanistan had changed a lot.

Veterans Affairs committee  Yes. At that time, we asked ourselves how we could recognize the sacrifices and service of Canadians in Afghanistan. We've put more emphasis on that.

Veterans Affairs committee  We did—

Veterans Affairs committee  We saw that the situation had greatly affected the people who had served in Afghanistan.

Veterans Affairs committee  We heard that from a lot of veterans. That's why we've put more emphasis on how to recognize the service of veterans.

Veterans Affairs committee  If I could, Mr. Chair, the real objective was to try to hear from as many veterans as possible and from as many veterans who were attached to the Afghan mission as possible. It wasn't a question of money. It was a question of reach and of getting the message out and the response

Veterans Affairs committee  I don't think they asked questions directly.