QUESTION PERIOD — Veterans Affairs
Support for Veterans
May 2, 2024
Honourable senators, my question is for the Government Representative in the Senate.
Senator, there are several items before Parliament, both here and in the other place, that concern veterans’ benefits and veterans’ health care. I have to tell you that I am hearing concerns from veterans that all this talk is not being followed by action. In particular, they are actually beginning to wonder if “lest we forget” is becoming “we will forget.”
For example, within the budget coming up, there are a mere two line items related to veterans, and in the Notice of Ways and Means, there isn’t the word “veteran” at all.
Secondly, there is a study being done by the House Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs about women’s health, and there is growing concern that this study will not be tabled and not be adopted quickly enough. Women veterans continue to need help.
Senator Gold, can the government reassure women veterans that the report will be tabled and adopted and that dedicated funding will follow to implement the changes veterans so desperately need?
Thank you for the question and for underlining the importance that we at this government continue to support our veterans as they unquestionably deserve.
I am not in a position to comment on any additional funding that has not been announced, as you will understand.
With regard to the report, I will also make inquiries of the minister. As colleagues will know, it is not simply the prerogative of the government to unilaterally make possible the tabling of the report and the like. I will certainly inquire as to what steps are being taken to move that forward.
Here in the Senate, I know from my colleagues across the way, that there are up to 700,000 people who watch our deliberations, and we know many of them are veterans as well. We even have a report here in the Senate — a subcommittee report on psychedelic use for veterans’ mental health — that has been waiting months for adoption by the Senate. What is more important is if the adoption of that report will trigger the government to respond and commit to veterans. Is the government willing to see this report get adopted, and are they prepared to respond to the issues raised in the report?
Thank you. This is a very easy question. The Senate does important work. If there is a Senate report not yet put before Parliament for adoption, you can be sure that we in the Government Representative Office will be happy to support the adoption of this report and then the Government of Canada will respond appropriately to the Senate’s recommendations.
