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Veterans Affairs

Question period focused on delays in veterans’ disability benefit applications. Michael Barrett of the Conservatives said nearly 10,000 applications have passed the government’s own service standard, that a departmental plan calls for cutting 20% of staff who review them, and asked when the backlog would be cleared and by what date veterans would get answers. Minister Jill McKnight of the Liberals said average processing times for first applications have fallen 57% since 2021 despite a 90% rise in applications over the past decade, and pointed to new budget spending to speed up benefits, saying more details would come soon. Barrett pressed again for a specific date for clearing the backlog.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

4 statements

Michael Barrett

Conservative

Linked statement

“Almost 10,000 disability benefit applications from veterans are overdue. At the same time, the government is cutting 20% of the staff who review them. When will this backlog be down to zero?”
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, nearly 10,000 veterans disability benefit applications are overdue and have passed the government’s own service delivery standard. Yesterday, I asked the veterans minister about the 20% cut to the staff who review those applications. It was in her own departmental plan. She said that it is not cutting but sunsetting the positions. She can call it what she likes. Veterans just want their disability benefit applications reviewed, and they want access to the benefits they earned through their service to our country, so on what date will the backlog of 10,000 applications be reduced to zero?

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Jill McKnight

Liberal
“We have cut wait times for first-time veterans' applications by more than half since 2021. We know there is still more work to do. That is why our budget puts hundreds of millions of dollars toward speeding up benefits and fixing our system.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 46 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, I start by acknowledging the service that our colleague across the way has provided on behalf of Canada, and I thank him for that. Since 2021, VAC has reduced the average processing time for first applications by 57%. We know there is more to do. That is why our budget in 2025 invested $184.9 million over four years and $40 million ongoing in benefit delivery stabilization and modernization. Along with a review of forms and processes, we are working to ensure veterans connect with team members so that we can get them the supports they are eligible for.

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Michael Barrett

Conservative
“Veterans need to know when they will get their benefits. Ten thousand applications are backed up. By what date will the minister clear this backlog?”
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, I appreciate the response, but what veterans are looking for is an answer. They are looking for a date by which they will have a review and an answer on accessing the benefits they have earned. They have done their job. They have served Canada with unlimited liability. It is time for the government to step up, end the backlog of 10,000 applications and deliver for veterans. The question is very simple: By what date will the minister and her department deliver zero above that service delivery standard?

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Jill McKnight

Liberal
“We know waiting for benefits is hard for veterans. We have cut wait times by 57% since 2021, even though applications went up by 90% over the last ten years. We are spending money to fix the system, and I will share more details soon.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 45 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, we know that for a veteran who is waiting for their benefits, any timeline can feel challenging, and we are here to support them. That is why we have reduced the average processing time by 57% since 2021. At the same time, we have also seen an increase of 90% in the number of applications for disability benefits over the past decade. We are making the investments to stabilize and modernize service delivery. The work is under way, and I will have more to share.

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