Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Finance
Issue 23 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 11, 2005
(28)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met at 6:20 p.m., this day, in room 2, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Donald H. Oliver, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Cools, Day, Downe, Ferretti Barth, Harb, Kinsella, Mitchell and Ringuette (8).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Atkins and Dallaire (2).
In attendance: Guy Beaumier and Michel Rossignol, Research Officers, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, May 10, 2005, the committee began its consideration of Bill C-45, An Act to provide services, assistance and compensation to or in respect of Canadian Forces members and veterans and to make amendments to certain Acts.
APPEARING:
The Honourable Albina Guarnieri, P.C., M.P., Minister of Veterans Affairs Canada.
WITNESSES:
Veterans Affairs Canada:
Verna Bruce, Associate Deputy Minister;
Darragh Mogan, Executive Director, Service and Program Modernization Task Force;
Ken Miller, Director, Consultation Team, Service and Program Medernization Task Force.
Royal Canadian Legion:
Mary-Ann Burdett, President;
Pierre Allard, Director, National Services.
National Council of Veteran Associations:
Cliff Chadderton, President.
Army, Navy and Air Force veterans in Canada:
Ken Henderson, Dominion President.
Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association:
Dave Munro, President.
The Gulf War Veterans Association:
Col. (ret.) Don Ethell, Honourary President.
Veterans Affairs Canada: -
Dr. Peter Neary, Chair, Canadian Forces Advisory Council.
As an individual:
Captain (ret.) Sean Bruyea;
Louise Richard, Lieutenant Navy.
By videoconference:
As an individual:
Harold Leduc.
The Chair made a statement.
Minister Guarieri made a statement, and together with the other witnesses, answered questions.
The Chair made a statement.
Ms. Burdett, made a statement. Mr. Chadderton made a statement. Mr. Henderson made a statement. The witnesses answered questions.
The Chair made a statement.
Mr. Neary made a statement. Mr. Munro made a statement. Mr. Ethell made a statement. The witnesses answered questions.
At 8:26 p.m. the committee suspended.
At 8:30 p.m. the committee resumed.
The Chair made a statement.
Mr. Bruyea made a statement. Mr. Leduc made a statement. The witnesses answered questions.
The Chair made a statement.
At 9:47 p.m. the committee suspended.
At 9:50 p.m. the committee resumed.
It was agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-45.
It was agreed that the title stand postponed.
It was agreed that clause 1 (short title) stand posponed.
It was agreed that clauses 2 to 35 carry.
It was agreed that clauses 36 to 117 carry.
It was agreed that schedule 1 carry.
It was agreed that schedule 2 carry.
It was agreed that schedule 3 carry.
It was agreed that clause 1 (short title) carry.
It was agreed that the title carry.
It was agreed that the bill be adopted without amendment, and that the Chair report the bill without amendment to the Senate.
A number of senators made statements.
At 9:59 p.m. the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Catherine Piccinin
Clerk of the Committee