ACVA Committee Report

Front Line Services for Veterans: The Liberal Party Minority Report

The Liberal Party is disappointed with the calibre and generality of this Report. Such an extensive study provided an opportunity for the Committee to make impactful recommendations to the Department of Veterans Affairs.  The recommendations however, as well as the report in general, display that the majority of the Committee is more interested in congratulating the government, than in providing advice and constructive criticism to improve services to the veterans of Canada.

Recommendation 2  

That Veterans Affairs Canada, in cooperation with the Department of National Defence, assess the potential benefits of integrating clinical psychologists into the military personnel of the Canadian Forces.

This recommendation simply calls for further study. The time for study is past. The time for action is now. Accordingly, Recommendation 2 should be changed to the following:

That Veterans Affairs Canada, in cooperation with the Department of National Defence integrate clinical psychologists into the military personnel of the Canadian Forces

Recommendation 4

That Veterans Affairs Canada, in cooperation with the Public Service Commission, the Department of National Defence, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, examine ways to increase the percentage of departmental employees who are veterans.

Again, this recommendation simply requires the Committee to do more study - requiring the government to do little, if anything. Accordingly, the Liberal Party proposes the following in lieu of Recommendation 4:

That Veterans Affairs Canada, in cooperation with the Public Service Commission, the Department of National Defence, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, use the priority entitlement to employment in the public services to increase the percentage of departmental employees who are veterans, and that it develop information campaigns for that purpose

Recommendation 5

That, during the transition interview process, released military members be informed of their right to request a copy of their medical file.

The Liberal Party attempted repeatedly to have the Committee examine well known privacy breaches within the office of the Minister of Veteran Affairs. They were rejected. The Liberal Party continues its call for full blown study on privacy breaches, and proposes the following in lieu of Recommendation 5:

That Veterans Affairs Canada ensure that a copy of the complete medical file be systematically provided to all military members released for medical reasons, and that all information transmitted by a federal authority relating to a veterans medical file, also be provided to the veteran concerned, regardless of the reasons for the information request.

Recommendation 6

That Veterans Affairs Canada  continue to improve its efforts to reach out to veterans who are in need of medical, psycho-social, or other forms of rehabilitation. This can be achieved by maintaining current practices of visiting military bases across the country and by strengthening partnerships between district offices and local health organizations.

This recommendation fails to recognize that the status quo is failing our veterans. It must to strengthened to read:

That Veterans Affairs Canada implement measures to ensure veterans in crisis have access to emergency psychiatric care, including inpatient treatment.

Recommendation 7

That Veterans Affairs Canada, in cooperation with the Department of National Defence, examines ways to foster a smooth transition between health care provided to military personnel and that offered to Canadian Forces veterans in the civilian world.

 The seriousness of the issue cannot be understated. Dr. Alice Aiken, Director of the Canadian Institute for Military and Veterans Health Research, appeared at Committee on February 14^th, 2012, and spoke both personally and professional about her experience. She said: “... my biggest challenge was in the transition to provincial health care, where I got the same treatment as a prisoner, and I was informed of that. When my husband transitioned out later, he was medically released and had served in both Bosnia and Afghanistan. The impact on our family was mitigated by the fact that we had both been military and knew what to do. But I think his biggest struggle was in transitioning to a civilian health care system that didn’t understand his needs...also his front line services provided by Veterans Affairs...is sometimes a very difficult bureaucracy for the veteran to deal with...”. The time for more study has passed. The Liberal Party proposes the following in lieu of Recommendation 7:

That Veterans Affairs Canada in cooperation with National Defence, make every effort to ensure greater continuity between health care provided in the Canadian Forces and that offered in the civilian world, including the ability for released member of the Canadian Forces to continue to see a military doctor until such time they are able to secure the services of a civilian doctor.

Recommendation 9

That Veterans Affairs Canada, in cooperation with the Department of National Defence, examine current industry best practices to develop methods to effectively monitor veterans progress while participating in transition programs.

The wilful disregard of the majority of the Committee for veterans’ privacy is exemplified here.  Any monitoring protocol must respect privacy. Yet, there is no mention of it. Accordingly, the Liberal Party proposes the following in lieu of Recommendation 9:

That Veterans Affairs Canada, in cooperation with the Department of National Defence, develop an integrated and systematic veteran monitoring protocol that is based on the most promising current initiatives and guarantees respect for veterans privacy.

Recommendation 10

That Veterans Affairs Canada, in negotiations for the transfer of Ste. Anne’s Hospital to the province of Quebec, ensure that it maintains a centre of excellence in clinical research and that our veterans continue to receive priority access to quality care in the official language of their choice.

The services at Ste Anne’s hospital, exclusive and unique to veterans, must be maintained.  The Liberal Party proposed the following in lieu of Recommendation 10:

That Veterans Affairs Canada, in negotiations for the transfer of Ste. Anne’s Hospital to the province of Quebec, ensure that it maintains a centre of excellence in clinical research and care dedicated exclusively to veterans, and that our veterans continue to receive priority access to quality care in the official language of their choice.

Recommendation 12

That Veterans Affairs Canada review the regulations that deal with the reimbursement of costs incurred by participants under the Vocational Rehabilitation Program.

This recommendation mandates further study. It is the Committee’s role to study, and the study is complete. It is now the Department’s role to act. Accordingly, the Liberal Party proposed the following in lieu of Recommendation 12:

That Veterans Affairs Canada take all necessary measures to prevent participants of the Vocational Rehabilitation Program from being required to pay, in advance, the costs of services for which they are entitled.

Recommendation 13

That Veterans Affairs Canada continue to work cooperatively with the Department of National Defence to increase program consistency and support vocational rehabilitation specialists and other organizations that provide early intervention to transitioning CF personnel and veterans seeking employment.

This recommendation is applause for the status quo. The Liberal Party proposes the following in lieu of Recommendation 13:

That Veterans Affairs Canada, together with the Department of National Defence, take action to implement better early intervention practices developed by vocational rehabilitation specialists.

Recommendation 15

That Veterans Affairs Canada recognize the good work accomplished by the Royal Canadian Legion and the University of British Columbia through their Veterans Transition Program, and that the department continue to support programs that assist transitioning veterans.

The recommendation ignores the pressing need for the government to provide financial and administrative support to an excellent program that should be expanded. The Liberal Party proposes, in lieu of Recommendation 15:

That Veterans Affairs Canada, in cooperation with the Royal Canadian Legion and the University of British Columbia, provide meaningful and tangible support for the national expansion of Veterans Transition Program.

Recommendation 17

That Veterans Affairs Canada continue to work with community organizations to combat homelessness among veterans.

This is yet another example of the majority on the Committee offering full support for the status quo. Accordingly, the Liberal Party proposes the following:

That Veterans Affairs Canada recognise the service provided by Good Shepherd Ministries through its rehabilitation programs and that it provide the organisation with financial compensation.