QUESTION PERIOD — Veterans Affairs
Support for Veterans
April 3, 2019
Honourable senators, my question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate.
As per legislation that was unanimously passed last June, Health Canada is convening a conference next week with various stakeholders and other departments, including Veterans Affairs Canada, to develop a federal framework on PTSD among first responders. Yesterday, however, we learned that in recent months, Veterans Affairs quietly made changes to the questionnaire doctors fill out in treating veterans with PTSD. According to one expert, the rewritten form has essentially been stripped of almost all specific questions related to PTSD symptoms and has raised concerns that it will thwart efforts to get veterans the treatment they need, leading to an increased risk of suicide.
Senator Harder, why would Veterans Affairs do this now? Did they consult Health Canada before doing so? If not, why didn’t they?
I thank the honourable senator for his question. Let me indicate that I will take note of it and ensure a response in a timely fashion.
Senator Harder, the surprising move to shorten the questionnaire has many health care providers across the country wondering if it might not have something to do with your government’s new pension structure for veterans. They say these changes to the questionnaire could effectively mean fewer people qualifying for PTSD benefits and for the lifetime pension offered to veterans suffering from PTSD, leading me to believe this is a cost-cutting measure. I’d hate to believe that is the case, Senator Harder.
Considering the new law regarding a federal framework, why else would Veterans Affairs do this, and why would they do it now? I dearly hope the work being done, like next week’s conference, isn’t just more window-dressing and lip service from our government that is long on platitudes and short on action.
Again, I thank the honourable senator for his follow-up question. It gives me the opportunity to reiterate the government’s priority in dealing with veterans’ matters and ensuring that the pensions of veterans are more adequately addressed and that wait times are shortened.
The senator will know the investments the government has made with respect to opening offices to ensure better processing times. I can assure the honourable senator that whatever action being contemplated in the PTSD area is not motivated by any desire to restrict the entitlements of our veterans.
Again, I will get back to the honourable senator with respect to the particulars on the PTSD issue.
Honourable senators, the time for Question Period has expired.
