Veterans Affairs committee  No, I don't.

Veterans Affairs committee  I think the basic solution is embedded in some of the things I've said here. We're looking at 18 different criteria that are further amplified or whatever. Reduce it to four, okay? Make it simple. That was part of what the department was thinking of back in 2002, 2003, and 2004

Veterans Affairs committee  Like I said, we have been arguing that at least the modern veterans who have served in special duty areas or special duty operations like Afghanistan, or those who have been medically released, should have access to long-term care. There are some right now who need that access an

Veterans Affairs committee  I think Mr. Stoffer is probably an expert on that. He has pointed out some fallacies that we are painfully aware of. Again, we see a program that was designed with the best of intentions to provide pre-1981 widows with access to VIP benefits. That's number one. We probably exagge

Veterans Affairs committee  I will just add that because we have a service delivery arm, a service bureau that represents veterans at all levels of the disability process, we're very well informed on policies and business processes, which helps our advocacy. We have a good relationship. If I were allowed

Veterans Affairs committee  You're quite correct. VIP does play a role in helping people stay in their homes. Logically, that's the choice most of us would make. We would like to finish our days in our home. Having said that, I will note that there is a certain reality and that some of us will not be able

Veterans Affairs committee  The New Veterans Charter Advisory Committee sent the report to the department in June 2009. The department amended the report to ensure that it was appropriate in all areas. The document was officially received by the department on October 1. It is in the process of being transla

Veterans Affairs committee  There is also the evaluation plan for the new Charter, of which I have a copy. I think that I sent a copy to your analyst. I can also forward you a copy. In addition, it appears that the Auditor General will be analyzing the transition process that one goes through when one leav

Veterans Affairs committee  There is still a very large number of modern veterans who are directly tied to the new Veterans Charter process. We are trying to rectify the shortcomings for these people. We have to act quickly for two reasons. First of all, we promised that we would take action quickly when w

Veterans Affairs committee  We do not make any distinction at the Legion. A veteran is a veteran. I use these terms for no other reason than that the benefits are different.

Veterans Affairs committee  It is a shortcoming that needs to be rectified.

Veterans Affairs committee  My rationale is relatively simple. In “Keeping the Promise”, there was one recommendation. It was simple: put in a program based on needs. There was no need to rationalize. Yet we were told, after the fact, that basically this simple recommendation really meant there had to be pr

Veterans Affairs committee  At the end of the day, decisions will be made; we recognize that. I don't think it's our role to prioritize. Our role was to tell you where the gaps were and we've done that.

Veterans Affairs committee  I'm sure we will continue the discussions to get to that level if we need to, but I don't think right now is the time.

Veterans Affairs committee  But I think I did give you a hint, if I might say so, which was that I think the financial benefits are the ones that are creating a lot of furor out there. Having said that, I'm not even sure, because issues of families and mental health are also creating a lot of furor out ther