Public Accounts committee  I believe that's correct, yes.

Public Accounts committee  That is the case. As indicated earlier, there was a 75% increase in demand in the five years beginning in 2015.

Public Accounts committee  This was a very significant increase. I should say as well, honourable member, that there was an increase in the complexity of issues and demands coming forward from the veterans, particularly around mental health issues, and significantly around PTSD related to those issues.

Public Accounts committee  That's a very good question, Honourable Member. I can't give you that specifically, but I will find that and bring it back to the committee.

Public Accounts committee  There are two things I would say. First of all, this staff is being productive. The increase in the total FTEs is a factor—

Public Accounts committee  The key part of that, as was indicated earlier, is that the intake or demand is up significantly. In a five-year period that began in 2015, the intake or demand went up by 75%.

Public Accounts committee  I don't think that's the way we would compute this. We are looking at the total equivalent that we need—not just the number but also the type of bodies we need to address these matters.

Public Accounts committee  Our first objective is to have clearer data, not just internally, but also externally. We are also establishing consistent standards.

Public Accounts committee  As I mentioned in my opening remarks, we expect to reach our target by June 2023.

Public Accounts committee  We can't give you the specific answer on the wait time with respect to indigenous veterans. We're very respectful of the fact that indigenous veterans come forward, that indigenous Canadians come forward and self-identify. This data that we have received through the census has on

Public Accounts committee  That's a very good question. I think the item I'm most focused on is how we can make this process direct and simple for both the veteran and the staff who are responding to the veteran's interests as they are brought forward. We've been placing a lot of focus on simplifying our

Public Accounts committee  Thank you for the question. It has had a tremendous impact on the backlog, as we indicated earlier. Since the time of the audit, we've seen the backlog decrease by 41%. That is largely due to the work and effort of the staff who are addressing these matters and taking up the app

Public Accounts committee  Mr. Chair, productivity hasn't dropped. In fact, productivity has increased in terms of the number of files that have been addressed.

Public Accounts committee  Honourable member, thank you so much for this question. You're quite right to underline this issue. It's something that we are, in fact, attentive to. I should say that there is a long history of indigenous Canadians who have served and have sacrificed. Even just a few days ago,

Public Accounts committee  Thank you for your question. You're right to raise the issue. As you mentioned, it's something that's been happening for months, even years. We set up teams dedicated to processing those files. We allocated more staff to process applications from francophone veterans, and we've