QUESTION PERIOD — Ministry of Veterans Affairs
Support Services for Veterans
February 15, 2024
Two weeks ago, Judge Paul Scovil released the final report of the Desmond Fatality Inquiry into the tragic deaths of Afghanistan War veteran Lionel Desmond; his wife, Shanna; their 10-year-old daughter, Aaliyah; and his mother, Brenda, in Upper Big Tracadie, Nova Scotia, very close to where I live.
The first of the 25 recommendations calls upon the Province of Nova Scotia to advocate with the federal government for case workers to be assigned to each veteran transitioning out of the Canadian Armed Forces. Minister, will you heed this recommendation and ensure that case workers are assigned to all veterans transitioning out of the CAF, particularly those with trauma, so that people like Lionel Desmond don’t fall between the cracks again?
Absolutely. Once again, the incident that happened in Upper Big Tracadie, Nova Scotia, was a tragedy. The family members and community continue to be deeply affected by this.
I have reviewed the 572-page report prepared by the judge in question, and I have read it word-for-word very carefully. My department continues to look at the three recommendations, one of which was asking that a case manager be assigned to the members who are transitioning out of the Canadian Armed Forces. Once again, we will be continuing to work and have contact with the Province of Nova Scotia and also do a deeper dive with respect to the recommendations.
This is work that I take extremely seriously. We certainly want to make sure that our members whom we are serving are receiving the help, assistance and the support they need. Again, I look forward to continuing that work. We’ll have more to say with respect to the recommendations in the next few weeks to come.
