Mr. Hees:

That is the spirit I have always found here. I have just as many friends on the other side of the House as I have in my own Party. I like them all very much. I have received tremendous support and friendship from Members on my own side of the House, and I appreciate so much the very nice accord given to me a few moments ago.

I appreciate receiving the question that I have from the Hon. Member for Beaches who has always shown a tremendous interest in veterans and their welfare. He has continued to do so all the years I have known him, and I know he will always continue to show this interest in the veterans of Canada.

In answer to the question, I am very pleased to advise that effective April 1, 1989, the Veterans Independence Program will be extended to our veterans who served in Canada during both World Wars.

Hon. George Hees (Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of State (Seniors)):

Yes, Mr. Speaker. To start with I would like to thank all Hon. Members for their very kind and generous expression of goodwill which they accorded me a few moments ago. This is one of the reasons that makes serving in Parliament the finest profession that anyone can have. 1 have enjoyed it tremendously, not only because of the work that we are all able to do but because of the associations that we make,

not only with Members in our own Party but with Members in all other Parties. After all, everyone is here trying to do a job for the people of Canada.

Although our debates may at times get hot and overheated, they are just like football or hockey games. The teams play very hard against each other for an hour, and then usually sit with one another and have a beer.

Hon. George Hees (Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of State (Seniors)):

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to answer this very good question from a Member who pays particular attention to the welfare of our veterans who deserve our attention so well.

I would like to advise the Member and all Members in this House that we have been working on this matter very, very hard, with good progress, and by about the middle of next month we expect to be able to announce the date when this will actually take place.

August 11, 1988

Privilege-Mr. Nowlan PRIVILEGE

Hon. George Hees (Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of State (Seniors)):

Grants paid to recipients in the Metropolitan Toronto area for the period September 4, 1984 to May 31, 1988:

Assistance Fund

Grants paid under the Assistance Fund Regulations, of up to five hundred dollars to eligible veterans to meet unforeseen emergency needs and unexpected

contingencies $189,000 Treatment Allowances

Grants paid under the Veterans Treatment Regulations, to pensioners who were receiving treatment for their pensioned disability $613,000

Last Post fund

Grants paid under the Last Post Fund Regulations to reimburse the Fund for expenses incurred for the funeral and burial of indigent veterans $821,000 Children of War Dead/Pensioners Training

Motions

Allowances and Tuition Fees paid under the Children of the War Dead Regulations, to eligible students registered in recognized universities or colleges

Also, the payment of allowances and tuition under the Pensioners Training Regulations to eligible pensioners who are registered in approved retraining programs. $252,000 Prosthetic Services

Grants paid to Sunnybrook Medical Centre to reimburse the Hospital for the salary of one prosthetist through a federal-provincial agreement. $104,000 Pension-Burial Grants

Grants paid under the Pension Act to provide for the funeral and burial entlited pensioners $307,000

Hon. George Hees (Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of State (Seniors)):

Grants paid to recipients in the Metropolitan Toronto area for the period September 4, 1984 to May 31, 1988:

Assistance Fund

Grants paid under the Assistance Fund Regulations, of up to five hundred dollars to eligible veterans to meet unforeseen emergency needs and unexpected

contingencies $189,000 Treatment Allowances

Grants paid under the Veterans Treatment Regulations, to pensioners who were receiving treatment for their pensioned disability $613,000

Last Post fund

Grants paid under the Last Post Fund Regulations to reimburse the Fund for expenses incurred for the funeral and burial of indigent veterans $821,000 Children of War Dead/Pensioners Training

Motions

Allowances and Tuition Fees paid under the Children of the War Dead Regulations, to eligible students registered in recognized universities or colleges

Also, the payment of allowances and tuition under the Pensioners Training Regulations to eligible pensioners who are registered in approved retraining programs. $252,000 Prosthetic Services

Grants paid to Sunnybrook Medical Centre to reimburse the Hospital for the salary of one prosthetist through a federal-provincial agreement. $104,000 Pension-Burial Grants

Grants paid under the Pension Act to provide for the funeral and burial entlited pensioners $307,000