Veterans Affairs committee  It's not the majority. I'd say it's probably about an 80:20 male-to-female ratio. Conversely, the same on the couples or spousal programs that we have, actually it's a lot higher. It's almost predominantly women. It's what the makeup historically has been and we're certainly seeing that on the downstream side of treatment.

Veterans Affairs committee  Yes, it's consistent for both, either male or female. I think it just speaks to the scope and scale of the problem, that it's consistent for whoever is trying to go through this process upon release. In terms of what we see, sometimes it feels as though 50% of what we're trying to support and treat through our programs is the injury sustained as a result of their service, and the other half of their struggle and their challenges through their operational stress injury is the treatment they feel they're receiving by their own country through their own departments.

Veterans Affairs committee  It's frustrating to know the problem, the scale, scope and size of a problem that large, and then hear words such as “temporary”. This is not a temporary problem. It has been happening for years. We need to put the resources in place. If we can do it and it can be fixed, why wouldn't we?

Veterans Affairs committee  Thanks for the question. That's something we've heard time and again. When we talk about health care, we're talking about medically releasing injured veterans, injured members of the Canadian Forces. As we always say in health care, timely access is key. I don't know why it's not similarly being seen that way when it comes to timely access to disability benefits and awards that they're entitled to and deserve.

Veterans Affairs committee  That's a great question. It's something I've asked time and again. The release process takes time. You don't just medically release tomorrow. There's often six months to a year timeframe, or longer sometimes. There is a period here. There is a window in which we should be doing this right off the bat, making that transition somewhat seamless, if not entirely.

Veterans Affairs committee  Yes.

Veterans Affairs committee  Echoing what I just heard, I think that doing as much as we can before somebody releases is something we've talked about for years now. Imagine a day if all the claims could be adjudicated. The veteran, at that time, would understand every avenue of what's coming as part of the transition to civilian life throughout the release process.

Veterans Affairs committee  If we can do that so they hit “civvy street” as they always say, or civilian life, with the knowledge and understanding of what's coming, what support they're going to have and then actually have those supports at once, I think that would be a profound difference from where we are today.

Veterans Affairs committee  Good evening. Thank you, Mr. Chair, all members of Parliament, and all those who have spoken thus far. I really just want to echo so much of what has been said, and not to repeat it. Wounded Warriors Canada, for those who don't know, is a national mental health service provider that specializes in clinically facilitated group-based trauma therapy programs for our injured veterans, first responders and their families.