Proceedings of the Subcommittee on
Veterans Affairs
Issue 4 - Minutes
OTTAWA, Monday, February 11, 2002
(6)
[English]
The Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met at 2:10 p.m., this day, in room 172-E, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Michael A. Meighen, presiding.
Members of the subcommittee present: The Honourable Senators Atkins, Banks, Cordy, Kenny and Meighen (5).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senator LaPierre (1).
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Grant Purves, Research Officer.
The committee proceeded to consider future business of the committee.
It was moved by Senator Kenny — That the following budget application for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2002 be concurred in, and
That the Chair submit same to the Standing Committee on National Security and Defence.
|
Professional and Other Services |
$ 7,500 |
|
Transportation and Communications |
$ 24,350 |
|
All Other Expenditures |
$ 1,000 |
|
TOTAL |
$ 32,850 |
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
At 2:15 p.m., the subcommittee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
CHARLOTTETOWN, Thursday, March 7, 2002
(7)
[English]
The Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met at 8:45 a.m., this day, in room 1st Floor Boardroom, Daniel J. MacDonald Building, 161 Grafton Street, Charlottetown, the Chair, the Honourable Michael A. Meighen, presiding.
Members of the subcommittee present: The Honourable Senators Atkins, Day, Kenny Meighen and Wiebe (5).
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Grant Purves, Research Officer.
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
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.
WITNESSES:
From the Department of Veterans Affairs Canada:
Larry Murray, Deputy Minister;
Brian Ferguson, Assistant Deputy Minister, Veterans Services;
Bernard Butler, Director, Disability Pension Operations, Veterans Services;
Janice Burke, Acting Director, Disability Pension Adjudication.
From Veterans Review and Appeal Board:
Brian Chambers, Chair;
Dale Sharkey, Executive Director;
Jean Dixon, Director, Legal Services.
Mr. Murray made a statement and with Mr. Ferguson and Ms Burke answered questions.
Mr. Butler made a statement.
Mr. Chambers made a statement and with Ms Sharkey and Ms Dixon answered questions.
At 10:35 a.m., the meeting was suspended.
At 10:50 a.m., the subcommittee conducted a fact-finding visit to the pension review and appeal section of Veterans Affairs Canada.
At 11:50 a.m., the meeting resumed.
At 12:55 p.m., the subcommittee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
CHARLOTTETOWN, Thursday, March 7, 2002
(8)
[English]
The Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met at 1:30 p.m., this day, in room 1st Floor Boardroom, Daniel J. MacDonald Building, 161 Grafton Street, Charlottetown, the Chair, the Honourable Michael A. Meighen, presiding.
Members of the subcommittee present: The Honourable Senators Atkins, Day, Kenny Meighen and Wiebe (5).
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Grant Purves, Research Officer.
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
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.
WITNESSES:
From the Department of Veterans Affairs Canada:
Mr. Larry Murray, Deputy Minister;
Mr. Brian Ferguson, Assistant Deputy Minister, Veterans Services;
Mr. Darragh Mogan, Director General, Program and Service Policy Division, Veterans Services;
Ms Sue LeMaistre, Acting Manager, VAC-CF Project;
Mr. John Walker, Director, Residential Care;
Ms Debbie Gallant, Deputy Project Leader, Continuum of Service Project;
Mr. J. André Smith, Director General, Canadian Battlefield Memorials Restoration Project;
Mr. Bryson Guptill, Director, Program Policy.
The subcommittee viewed an audio-visual presentation on the Vimy Monument.
Mr. Smith made a statement and answered questions.
Mr. Guptill made a statement and answered questions.
Mr. Murray and Mr. Mogan made statements and with Mr. Ferguson and Ms LeMaistre answered questions.
At 3:25 p.m., the meeting was suspended.
At 3:40 p.m., the meeting resumed.
Mr. Murray, Mr. Mogan and Mr. Walker made statements and with Mr. Ferguson and Ms Gallant answered questions.
It was agreed — That Veterans Affairs Canada would provide and update on the recommendations from the report ``Raising the Bar'' that have been implemented.
At 4:25 p.m., the subcommittee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Barbara Reynolds
Clerk of the Subcommittee