Proceedings of the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs
Standing Senate
Committee on
Social Affairs, Science and Technology
Issue 2 - Minutes of Proceedings
CHARLOTTETOWN, Wednesday, January 22, 1997
(3)
Morning Meeting
[English]
The Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 9:00 a.m. in camera, in the Battle of the Atlantic Board Room of the Department of Veterans Affairs, in Charlottetown, P.E.I., the Chairman, the Honourable Senator Orville H. Phillips, presiding.
Members of the subcommittee present: The Honourable Senators Bonnell, Cohen, Cools and Phillips. (4)
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Jessiman.
In attendance: Grant Purves, Research Officer, Research Branch, Library of Parliament; Chad Rogers, Executive Assistant to the Honourable Senator Phillips; and James van Raalte, Research Assistant to the Honourable Senator Bonnell.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
WITNESSES:
From the Department of Veterans Affairs:
David Nicholson, Deputy Minister;
Dennis Wallace, Assistant Deputy Minister, Veterans Services;
Doris Boulet, Director General, Benefits;
Del Carrothers, Deputy Director General, Portfolio Executive Services.
Robert Bentley, Director, Pensions and Operation Services, Benefits Division;
Bunty Albert, Acting Director, Legislation and Policy, Benefits Division;
Simon Coakeley, Chief Pensions Advocate, Bureau of Pensions Advocates;
Brenda MacCormack, Adjudication Manager, Pension Services, Benefits Division;
Bernard Butler, Legal Counsel, Resource Centre, Benefits Division.
Pursuant to the Orders of Reference adopted by the Senate on December 10, 1996, and by the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology on December 11, 1996, the Subcommittee resumed its examination on the implementation by the Department of Veterans Affairs of measures to expedite the adjudication of pensions. (See Proceedings of the Subcommittee dated January 20, 1997, Issue No. 1.)
David Nicholson and Doris Boulet made opening statements and with Simon Coakeley, Brenda MacCormack, Robert Bentley, Bernard Butler, Bunty Albert and Del Carrothers, answered questions.
Mr. MacDonald tabled a 77-page document which gave a Disability Pensions Overview; Pension Reform Progress to date (changes and Results); Pension Reform Progress to date (Statistics); and other statistics on Disability Pensions. This document was retained by the Subcommittee as Exhibit 6050-2.35/V1 SS1-8.2 "2".
The subcommittee recessed at 10:50 a.m.
The subcommittee resumed at 11:00 a.m.
At 12:10 p.m., the subcommittee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
CHARLOTTETOWN, Wednesday, January 22, 1997
(4)
Afternoon Meeting
[English]
The Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 2:15 p.m. in camera, in the Battle of the Atlantic Board Room of the Department of Veterans Affairs, in Charlottetown, P.E.I., the Chairman, the Honourable Senator Orville H. Phillips, presiding.
Members of the subcommittee present: The Honourable Senators Bonnell, Cohen, and Phillips. (3)
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Jessiman.
In attendance: Grant Purves, Research Officer, Research Branch, Library of Parliament; Chad Rogers, Executive Assistant to the Honourable Senator Phillips; and James van Raalte, Research Assistant to the Honourable Senator Bonnell.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
WITNESSES:
From the Department of Veterans Affairs:
Brian Chambers, Chair, Veterans Review and Appeal Board;
Dennis Wallace, Assistant Deputy Minister, Veterans Services;
Robert Bentley, Director of Pensions Services;
Leslie MacLean, Acting Executive Director, Veterans Review and Appeal Board;
Karen Rowell, Chief of Operations, Veterans Review and Appeal Board.
Pursuant to the Orders of Reference adopted by the Senate on December 10, 1996, and by the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology on December 11, 1996, the subcommittee resumed its examination on the implementation by the Department of Veterans Affairs of measures to expedite the adjudication of pensions. (See Proceedings of the Subcommittee dated January 20, 1997, Issue No. 1.)
Mr. Robert Bentley gave members of the subcommittee a tour of the Pension Process and explained the different stages to the Pension Process. Explanations were given by David Forseight, Robert Bentley, Brenda MacCormack, Marlene Fitzpatrick and Sean Russell.
At 2:48 p.m. the subcommittee reconvene in the Battle of the Atlantic Board Room where Brian Chambers and Leslie MacLean made statements and answered questions.
Brian Chambers tabled a 17-page document which gave an overview of the Veterans Review and Appeal process. This document was retained by the subcommittee as Exhibit 6050-2.35/V1 SS1-8.2 "3".
At 4:52 p.m., the subcommittee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
CHARLOTTETOWN, Thursday, January 23, 1997
(5)
[English]
The Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 9:00 a.m. in camera, in the Battle of the Atlantic Board Room of the Department of Veterans Affairs, in Charlottetown, P.E.I., the Chairman, the Honourable Senator Orville H. Phillips, presiding.
Members of the subcommittee present: The Honourable Senators Bonnell, Cohen, and Phillips. (3)
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Jessiman.
In attendance: Grant Purves, Research Officer, Research Branch, Library of Parliament; Chad Rogers, Executive Assistant to the Honourable Senator Phillips; and James van Raalte, Research Assistant to the Honourable Senator Bonnell.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
WITNESSES:
From the Department of Veterans Affairs:
David Nicholson, Deputy Minister;
Dennis Wallace, Assistant Deputy Minister, Veterans Services;
Brian Chambers, Chair, Veterans Review and Appeal Board;
Doris Boulet, Director General, Benefits;
Darragh Mogan, Director General, Health Care;
Del Carrothers, Deputy Director General, Portfolio Executive Services.
Simon Coakeley, Chief Pensions Advocate, Bureau of Pensions Advocates;
Bernard Butler, Legal Advisor, Resource Centre.
Pursuant to the Orders of Reference adopted by the Senate on December 10, 1996, and by the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology on December 11, 1996, the Subcommittee resumed its examination on the implementation by the Department of Veterans Affairs of measures to expedite the adjudication of pensions. (See Proceedings of the Subcommittee dated January 20, 1997, Issue No. 1.)
David Nicholson, Dennis Wallace and Simon Coakeley made statements and, with Darragh Mogan, Bernard Butler, Doris Boulet, Brian Chambers and Del Carrothers, answered questions.
At 12:05 p.m., the subcommittee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Patrick J. Savoie
Clerk of the Subcommittee
OTTAWA, Tuesday, April 15, 1997
(6)
[English]
The Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 6:15 p.m. in camera, in Room 705 Victoria Building, the Chairman, the Honourable Senator Orville H. Phillips, presiding.
Members of the subcommittee present: The Honourable Senators Bonnell, Cools, Jessiman, Losier-Cool, Perrault and Phillips. (6)
In attendance: Grant Purves, Research Officer, Research Branch, Library of Parliament; Chad Rogers, Executive Assistant to the Honourable Senator Phillips; James van Raalte, Research Assistant to the Honourable Senator Bonnell; and Janelle Feldstein, Executive Assistant to the Honourable Senator Jessiman.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Orders of Reference adopted by the Senate on December 10, 1996, and by the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology on December 11, 1996, the subcommittee resumed its examination on the implementation by the Department of Veterans Affairs of measures to expedite the adjudication of pensions. (See Proceedings of the Subcommittee dated January 20, 1997, Issue No. 1.)
The Honourable Senator Bonnell moved that Senator Losier-Cool be appointed member.
The draft report was discussed and amended.
The Honourable Senator Bonnell moved adoption of report, Steadying the Course, as amended for presentation to the main committee, who will present it to the Senate.
Pursuant to the Orders of Reference adopted by the Senate on April 8, 1997 and by the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology on April 15, 1997, the subcommittee began its examination of Bill C-300, An Act respecting the establishment and award of a Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal for Canadians who have served with an international peacekeeping mission.
It was agreed that the following witnesses be called for Monday night, with leave to sit if the Senate is then sitting: the Royal Canadian Legion, the National Council of Veteran Associations in Canada, Lieutenant General J.C. Gervais of the Chancellery, Government House, and officials of the Department of National Defence.
At 7:22 p.m., the subcommittee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Jill Anne Joseph
Acting Clerk of the Subcommittee
OTTAWA, Monday, April 21, 1997
(7)
[English]
The Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 6:15 p.m., in Room 256-S Centre Block, the Chairman, the Honourable Senator Orville H. Phillips, presiding.
Members of the subcommittee present: The Honourable Senators Bonnell, Cools, Jessiman and Phillips. (4)
In attendance: Laura Snowball, Research Officer, Research Branch, Library of Parliament; Chad Rogers, Executive Assistant to the Honourable Senator Phillips; and James van Raalte, Research Assistant to the Honourable Senator Bonnell.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
WITNESSES:
From the National Council of Veteran Associations in Canada:
Ms Faye Lavell, Director, National Service Bureau.
From Government House:
Lt./General J.C. Gervais, Deputy Secretary of the Chancellery.
From the Department of National Defence:
M/General Roméo Dallaire, Chief of Staff to Assistant Deputy Minister (Personnel);
Major B. Brown, Directorate History & Heritage, Honours and Medals.
Pursuant to the Orders of Reference adopted by the Senate on April 8, 1997 and by the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology on April 15, 1997, the subcommittee resumed its examination of Bill C-300, An Act respecting the establishment and award of a Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal for Canadians who have served with an international peacekeeping mission.
Ms Faye Lavell made a statement and answered questions.
Lt/General J.C. Gervais made a statement and answered questions.
M/Gen. Roméo Dallaire made a statement and, with Major B. Brown, answered questions.
The Honourable Senator Cools moved that Bill C-300 be reported without amendment.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Bonnell moved that the following recommendations be included in the report to the Senate on Bill C-300:
The committee affirms the recommendations of the National Council of Veteran Associations (as contained in the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs' report Keeping Faith: Into the Future, and briefs submitted to the subcommittee on January 20, 1997 and April 21, 1997, respectively) regarding the creation of new awards and medals, with the intention that these recommendations be given effect in such manner as to ensure a timely completion of awards and medals commemorating the end of the Second World War; and
The committee recommends that the Government of Canada include, in its Honours and Awards Committee, representatives of the major veterans associations in Canada and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
After debate, The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 7:40 p.m., the subcommittee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Patrick J. Savoie
Clerk of the Subcommittee