Question Period Note: RECENT INITIATIVES FOR VETERANS

• Our Government is committed to supporting and honouring our Veterans and their families.

• Reducing wait times for disability benefit applications remains our number one priority. The department is pursuing a variety of initiatives, including increasing public service capacity, process innovation and digital solutions, etc.

• Since 2020, we have reduced the backlog by more than 50%. As of September 30, 2022, the total number of pending disability benefit applications was 30,725, of which 9,687 are beyond the service standard (i.e., backlog).

• Since the pandemic, we have been maintaining the department’s level of service, and have expanded supports for Veterans and Veterans’ organizations.

• Since Budget 2016, new investments for Veterans have totalled almost $11 billion. Most recently, additional funding of $139.6 million was announced through Budget 2022 to continue to reduce the wait times and to address Veteran homelessness.

• We are also continuing our foundational investments and progress in research and innovation through our Well-being Fund, two new Centers of Excellence, and the Office of Women and LGBTQ2 Veterans.

• We continue to work closely with the Canadian Armed Forces and the Department of National Defence to ensure seamless transition from military to life after service, and eliminate sexual misconduct and gender-based violence in the military and support survivors.

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