Proceedings of the Subcommittee on
Veterans Affairs
Issue 1 - Minutes
OTTAWA, Monday, October 1, 2001
(1)
[English]
The Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs of the Standing Senate Committee on Defence and Security met at 9:45 p.m., this day, in room 160-S (subcommittee room), Centre Block, for the purposes of holding its organization meeting, the Chair, the Honourable Michael A. Meighen, presiding.
Members of the subcommittee present: The Honourable Senators Atkins, Kenny, Meighen and Wiebe (4).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Forrestall (1).
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Grant Purves, Research Officer, General (ret'd) Keith McDonald, Senior Military Adviser, Deputy Commissioner (ret'd) Roy Berlinquette, RCMP, Senior Security Adviser, Chief Warrant Officer (ret'd) Maurice Dessureault, Military Advisor, Joe Varner, Office of Senator Forrestall, Geoff Dimick, Office of Senator Meighen.
Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Wiebe, - That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, Deputy Chair, and Honorable Senator Kenny; and
That the subcommittee be empowered to make decisions on behalf of the subcommittee with respect to its agenda, to invite witnesses, and to schedule hearings.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
Motion to print the subcommittee's proceedings
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Atkins, - That the subcommittee print its proceedings; and
That the Chair be authorized to set the number to meet demand.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
Authorization to hold meetings and to print evidence when quorum is not present
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Kenny, - That, pursuant to Rule 89, the Chair be authorized to hold meetings, to receive and authorize the printing of the evidence when a quorum is not present, provided that a member of the subcommittee from both the government and the opposition be present.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
Research Staff
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Wiebe, - That the subcommittee ask the Library of Parliament to assign research officers to the subcommittee;
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to retain the services of such experts as may be required by the work of the committee; and
That the Chair, on behalf of the subcommittee, direct the research staff in the preparation of studies, analyses, summaries, and draft reports.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
Authority to commit funds and certify accounts
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Kenny, - That, pursuant to section 32 of the Financial Administration Act, authority to commit funds be conferred individually on the Chair, the Deputy Chair, and the Clerk of the subcommittee; and
That, pursuant to section 34 of the Financial Administration Act, and Guideline 3:05 of Appendix II of the Rules of the Senate, authority for certifying accounts payable by the subcommittee be conferred individually on the Chair, the Deputy Chair, and the Clerk of the Subcommittee.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
Travel
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Wiebe, - That the committee empower the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure to designate, as required, one or more members of the subcommittee and/or such staff as may be necessary to travel on assignment on behalf of the committee; and
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to:
1) determine whether any member of the subcommittee is on "official business" for the purposes of paragraph 8(3)(a) of the Senators Attendance Policy, published in the Journals of the Senate on Wednesday, June 3, 1998; and
2) consider any member of the subcommittee to be on "official business" if that member is: (a) attending a function, event or meeting related to the work of the subcommittee; or (b) making a presentation related to the work of the subcommittee.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
Travelling and living expenses of witnesses
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Kenny, - That, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witnesses expenses, the subcommittee may reimburse reasonable travelling and living expenses for one witness from any one organization and payment will take place upon application, but that the Chair be authorized to approve expenses for a second witness should there be exceptional circumstances.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
Time slot for regular meetings
The Chair noted - That the subcommittee had received a time slot for meetings on Wednesday afternoons at 5:30 p.m. Meetings on Mondays when the main committee was not meeting were also a possibility.
Other Business
It was agreed - That Senator Meighen would seek the following order of reference:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Defence and Security be authorized to examine and report on the health care provided to veterans of war and of peacekeeping missions; the implementation of the recommendations made in its previous reports on such matters; and the terms of service, post-discharge benefits and health care of members of the regular and reserve forces as well as members of the RCMP and of civilians who have served in close support of uniformed peacekeepers;
That the papers and evidence received and taken on the subject during the Second Session of the Thirty-sixth Parliament be referred to the committee;
That the committee report no later than June 30, 2002;
That the committee be permitted, notwithstanding usual practices, to deposit its report with the Clerk of the Senate, if the Senate is not then sitting; and that the report be deemed to have been tabled in the Chamber.
It was agreed - That the subcommittee would invite the following witnesses:
The Royal Canadian Legion;
The Merchant Navy Coalition for Equality;
The Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association;
National Council of Veterans Associations in Canada;
The Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada.
It was agreed - That the Chair would determine the order and dates for meetings with these witnesses.
At 10:05 p.m., the subcommittee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, October 24, 2001
(2)
[English]
The Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs of the Standing Senate Committee on Defence and Security met at 5:30 p.m., this day, in room 505, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Michael A. Meighen, presiding.
Members of the subcommittee present: The Honourable Senators Atkins, Hubley, Kenny, Léger and Meighen (5).
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Grant Purves, Research Officer.
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
WITNESSES:
From the Royal Canadian Legion:
Jim Rycroft, Director, Service Bureau;
Duane Daly, Dominion Secretary; and
Gordon G. Beech, Service Officer.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, October 4, 2001, the Committee commenced its examination on the health care provided to veterans of war and of peacekeeping missions; the implementation of the recommendations made in its previous reports on such matters; and the terms of service, post-discharge benefits and health care of members of the regular and reserve forces as well as members of the RCMP and of civilians who have served in close support of uniformed peacekeepers.
Mr. Rycroft, Mr. Daly and Mr. Beech made a statement and answered questions.
At 6:20 p.m., the subcommittee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Barbara Reynolds
Clerk of the Subcommittee