Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Security and Defence

Issue 25 - Sixteenth Report

Thursday, October 23, 2003

The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence has the honour to present its

SIXTEENTH REPORT

Your Committee was authorized by the Senate on Thursday, September 18, 2003 to undertake a study on:

(a) the services and benefits provided to veterans of war and peacekeeping missions in recognition of their services to Canada, in particular examining:

- access to priority beds for veterans in community hospitals;

- availability of alternative housing and enhanced home care;

- standardization of services throughout Canada;

- monitoring and accreditation of long term care facilities;

(b) the commemorative activities undertaken by the Department of Veterans Affairs to keep alive for all Canadians the memory of the veterans achievements and sacrifices; and

(c) the need for an updated Veterans Charter to outline the right to preventative care, family support, treatment and re-establishment benefits.

That the Committee report no later than June 30, 2004.

On September 29, 2003 the Committee referred this matter to its Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs.

Pursuant to Section 2:07 of the Procedural Guidelines for the Financial Operation of Senate Committees, the budget submitted to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration and the report thereon of that Committee are appended to this report.

Respectfully submitted,

JOSEPH A. DAY

Member of the Committee

APPENDIX (A) TO THE REPORT
SUBCOMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS OF
THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON
NATIONAL SECURITY AND DEFENCE

APPLICATION FOR BUDGET AUTHORIZATION
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING MARCH 31ST, 2004

ORDER OF REFERENCE

Extract of the Journals of the Senate, Thursday, September 18, 2003:

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Meighen, seconded by the Honourable Senator Robertson:

That the Senate Committee on National Security and Defence be authorized to undertake a study on:

(a) the services and benefits provided to veterans of war and peacekeeping missions in recognition of their services to Canada, in particular examining:

- access to priority beds for veterans in community hospitals;
- availability of alternative housing and enhanced home care;
- standardization of services throughout Canada;
- monitoring and accreditation of long term care facilities;

(b) the commemorative activities undertaken by the Department of Veterans Affairs to keep alive for all Canadians the memory of the veterans achievements and sacrifices; and

(c) the need for an updated Veterans Charter to outline the right to preventative care, family support, treatment and re-establishment benefits;

That the Committee report no later than June 30, 2004.

After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

Paul C. Bélisle

Clerk of the Senate

Extract from the Minutes of the Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee National Security and Defence of September 29, 2003:

The Honourable Senator Banks moved:

That subject to a signature by an Opposition member of the Committee, the study on veterans services and benefits, commemorative activities and the Veterans Charter that was referred to the Committee on National Security and Defence by the Senate on September 18, 2003 be referred to the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

Barbara Reynolds

Clerk of the Committee

SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURES

The foregoing budget was approved by the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence on the Wednesday, September 29, 2003.

The undersigned or an alternate will be in attendance on the date that this budget is being considered.

___________           _______________________________________________________
Date                         Chair, Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence

___________           _______________________________________________________
Date                         Chairman, Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration

EXPLANATION OF COST ELEMENTS

PROFESSIONAL AND OTHER SERVICES

TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS

Fact Finding to Toronto
(date to be determined)

5 Senators
1 Researcher
1 Clerk
1 Media relations consultant
1 Interpreter

Veterans Commemorative Event

2 Senators
1 Domestic event (2 days / 1 night)

Domestic

The Senate Administration has reviewed this budget application.

___________________________________________________          _______________
Heather Lank, Principal Clerk of Committees and Private Legislation         Date

___________________________________________________          _______________
Hélène Lavoie, Director of Finance                                                           Date

APPENDIX (B) TO THE REPORT

Thursday, October 23, 2003

The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration has examined the budget presented to it by the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence (Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs) for the proposed expenditures of the said Committee for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2004 for the purpose of its Special Study on veterans services and benefits, commemorative activities and veterans charter, as authorized by the Senate on Thursday, September 18, 2003. The saie budget is as follows:

Respectfully submitted,

LISE BACON

Chair