July 7, 2008 -- Since the majority of the Parliamentary calendar was devoted to our study into the current Veterans' Health Care system including the Veterans' Independence Program, I decided to create this combined summary. I trust that it will give you a brief glimpse at the good work that our committee continues to produce for the benefit of our honoured veterans. It remains my priviledge to serve Canada and its veterans as a Member of this committee.

One of the highlights of the year was on May 28, 2008 when our committee presented to the House of Commons our report entitled "Resetting the Bar for Veterans Health Care: Veterans Independence Programs and Veterans Health Care Review." The goal of this report is to recommend to the Department of Veterans' Affairs that it should proceed with the proposed changes to the Veterans Independence Program (VIP) so that the department can better serve veterans and their families. This report can be found online at http://cmte.parl.gc.ca/cmte/CommitteePublication.aspx?SourceId=240953.

The Veterans Independence Program (VIP) is a national home care program provided by Veterans' Affairs Canada (VAC). The program was established in 1981 to help clients remain healthy and independent in their own homes or communities. The department's VIP is inevitably a major element in any updating of the health care services provided to the war service veterans. The committee examined the value of the VIP and its place within the spectrum of programs and services offered by the department as well as the implications of the Veterans Health Care Review. The VIP is also a major component of the changes proposed by the Gerontological Advisory Council, which advises the Department of Veterans Affairs on health issues, to update the existing system.

VIP does not replace other federal, provincial or municipal programs. Instead it complements these programs when necessary, to best meet the needs of VAC's clients.  VIP is only available in Canada. It cannot be offered to clients who live outside of Canada.

For more information on VIP, please visit the official website at http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/clients/sub.cfm?source=services/vip.

In late Spring 2008 our committee began a study of the comparison of veterans services offered by Members of the Commonwealth and the G8. This study is to further Canada's attempts to serve its veterans more effectively and efficiently and to perhaps learn from other countries methods of service. So far our committee has heard witnesses from the Unites States, Germany, New Zealand, Australia, as well as representatives from our own veterans' service providers. We look forward to continuing this study in the fall.