As my colleague Mr. Casey spoke to.... I was at a three-day forum of veterans run by Veterans Affairs Canada and a two-day forum on women veterans in Canada, which was in Montreal. I had the opportunity to speak to dozens of veterans and listen to their testimony and their panels.
The one thing that consistently came up is that they want it done. They want to know what the progress is. They don't like watching this. They do not want to know the debate on the location or the design anymore. They just want it done.
In the dozens of conversations that I had, not once did I have somebody oppose the selected design or say otherwise. There were very loud, vocal proponents who said that the time has been enough and that we need a monument.
I think what Mr. Casey is saying is a reflection of the testimony. People want to know what the progress is. They want to know if the location is firm, what the National Capital Commission is doing, what Veterans Affairs is doing, how the procurement process is going, what the timelines are and what the architectural consultants and other consultants are stating.
I think it's important that we call them before us and bring them forward on this. I think it would be good to get their written submission as well. I think Mr. Casey is saying that we need the National Capital Commission and other officials from VAC or otherwise to come here and give an update so that all the veterans who watch us, pay attention to this and read journals and any other blogs or news sources get an update as to what is happening with this.
We've all heard in testimony from the department and the minister that there is process by which the design panellists who weren't successful can adjudicate the decision. They can appeal the decision. I think some of that time period has passed, so my assumption is that they've accepted it, but I'm sure there are other judicial means by which they could do it. That's something the department would have to deal with. I think compensation is something that VAC officials have said they're prepared to offer because they felt that our veteran population is important and the choice they want should be reflected.
As we've stated earlier, that was in the survey with over 11,000 people, the majority of whom are veterans, serving members or family members of veterans. It's fairly broad. No survey of any type that we've ever seen—and we all come from different political parties—or any polls or data we have is ever perfect. They all have margins of error. However, I think when you have a majority where two-thirds or more are indicating an appreciation that one commemorates and reflects this better than the others, that gives you insight as to what people want.
I think it's time that we carry on. If there is a conclusion to this chapter, I think it would be to get an update on when this monument is being built, when it's starting, when shovels are in the ground, when veterans can pay homage to it and when the Canadian public, our students and visitors alike, can see the sacrifices that our veterans have made for not only our country, but the freedom of others who are oceans away.
Thank you.