Veterans Affairs committee  Certainly, it would lower the suicide rate. As I said earlier, today's new generation is talking about it more. I'll give you an example. The section commander is the section boss. If he goes to his sergeant or warrant officer—excuse me, because usually the section commander is

Veterans Affairs committee  If Veterans Affairs looked after us at the end of our service, that would be a good preventive measure. It would be enough to organize meetings with stakeholders. I'll give you an example. At one point, I asked to go to the pain management clinic to understand my pain and demyst

Veterans Affairs committee  When people leave the armed forces, their medical records are of course transferred to the archives in Ottawa. In my case, Veterans Affairs Canada requested my medical records and had me fill out a document requesting that they be transferred to Ottawa. The next year I was asked

Veterans Affairs committee  Could you repeat the question, please?

Veterans Affairs committee  The older generation, including myself, was trained in the military. When we needed to go to the doctor because we were injured, we didn't go. We would shut up and keep working, or we would get sent home. When people did training, they were taught the culture of silence. They w

Veterans Affairs committee  I do not have any at the moment, but I have others to submit.

Veterans Affairs committee  I received other diagnoses and I will have to submit more applications.

Veterans Affairs committee  In my case, the doctor who was monitoring me retired the same year I did. I don't know if it's possible, but it would help veterans. Because when we get out of the army, we don't have a doctor anymore. The Canadian Forces takes care of us, we don't have a family doctor. It took m

Veterans Affairs committee  Exactly.

Veterans Affairs committee  First of all, I had difficulty filling out the forms. I had to explain what had happened and the reason for my request. Many veterans have symptoms of post-traumatic stress. When they see the paperwork, they get very stressed and anxious and often won't apply because they can't f

Veterans Affairs committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. When I left the Canadian Armed Forces, I had no other choice. I was released on medical grounds under paragraph 3(b). Those who leave the forces are left to their own devices. When we're in the forces, we're well looked after, but when we leave, we don't

Veterans Affairs committee  I can't explain why our medical records don't follow us, but it's a very good question. The left hand, which is the military, doesn't talk to the right hand, which is Veterans Affairs Canada. If they did, it would save a lot of time. That way, when a member is released, they co

Veterans Affairs committee  Thank you very much. My name is Jean Laurion, and I joined the Canadian Armed Forces at the age of 17, on January 7, 1980, and I left on March 31, 2017. I spent 37 years and 3 months in the military. I started in the infantry. At some point, I went on leadership courses, mast