Public Accounts committee  Honourable member, thanks for that pointed and important issue. I think our obligation is to serve our veterans. Our commitment is to get the support to veterans when they need it and where they need it, and in a timely fashion. As we've indicated in both our response and engag

Public Accounts committee  We'll be happy to provide that information to the committee through the clerk.

Public Accounts committee  That is the case, and there are more veterans every year who are releasing from active service. That increases the number of potential veterans who could come forward with an application to Veterans Affairs Canada.

Public Accounts committee  It's important to note that out of our entire budget, more than 90% goes out into the pockets of veterans and their families. It is to support them, and that's very much at the heart of what we do, of course. That increase you're referencing has translated into a significant bene

Public Accounts committee  I think on the male and female.... There are some conditions. We've really done some work, and have continued to do some work, to ensure that our benefits profile, including our table of benefits, is brought into the modern age and reflects women who served as well as men who ser

Public Accounts committee  Sure. If I could, honourable member, it's good to clarify that for the supports that are provided to veterans, to those who have served in the Canadian Armed Forces—

Public Accounts committee  I'm getting to that, if I could. Specific to those in the Canadian Armed Forces, those funds are approved and are in place so that regardless of when they come forward, regardless of the measure, it is assured that the veteran will receive the level of benefit they are to receive

Public Accounts committee  Well, that's a very good question. I'd ask my colleague Mr. Adams, who works on this regularly, to provide some insight.

Public Accounts committee  I should say, honourable member, that I'm new to this department and government, so I honestly can't—

Public Accounts committee  I don't have that in front of me, honourable member. The departmental results are still being worked on, so—

Public Accounts committee  I can tell you, honourable member, that this is our top priority—

Public Accounts committee  Thank you very much for the question. We have reopened all of those offices. We have a presence in all parts of this country. It's very important that we are located close to where our veterans are living and that we can relate to them—not just in person, but also virtually—in te

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.