Proceedings of the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 3, 2006
(1)
[English]
The Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day in room 172-E, Centre Block, at 12:05 p.m., for the purpose of organization, pursuant to Rule 88.
Members of the subcommittee present: The Honourable Senators Day, Forrestall, Kenny and Meighen (4).
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to Rule 88, the clerk of the subcommittee presided over the election of the chair.
The Honourable Senator Kenny moved, that the Honourable Senator Meighen be chair of the subcommittee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Meighen assumed the chair and made opening remarks.
The Honourable Senator Forrestall moved that the Honourable Senator Day be deputy chair of this subcommittee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Kenny moved:
That the chair and deputy chair be empowered to make decisions on behalf of the subcommittee with respect to its agenda, to invite witnesses and schedule hearings.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Kenny moved:
That the subcommittee print its proceedings; and
That the chair be authorized to adjust this number to meet demand.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Kenny moved:
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 representative of the government and a representative from the opposition are present.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Forrestall moved:
That the subcommittee ask the Library of Parliament to assign research analysts to the subcommittee;
That the chair be authorized to seek authority from the Senate to engage the services of such counsel and technical, clerical and other personnel as may be necessary for the purpose of the subcommittee's examination and consideration of such bills, subject-matters of bills and estimates as are referred to it;
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 subcommittee; 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 adopted.
The Honourable Senator Forrestall moved:
That, pursuant to section 32 of the Financial Administration Act, and Section 7, Chapter 3:06 of the Senate Administrative Rules, 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 Section 8, Chapter 3:06 of the Senate Administrative Rules, 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 adopted.
The Honourable Senator Forrestall moved:
That the Subcommittee empower the Chair and Deputy Chair, 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 subcommittee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Forrestall moved:
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 adopted.
The Honourable Senator Forrestall moved:
That, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witness 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 adopted.
It was agreed that the chair be authorized to seek permission from the main committee to examine the following order of reference:
That the Senate Committee on National Security and Defence be authorized to undertake a study on:
(a) the services and benefits provided to members of the Canadian Forces, veterans of war and peacekeeping missions and members of their families 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 implementation of the recently enacted Veterans Charter;
That the papers and evidence received and taken during the First Session of the Thirty-eighth Parliament be referred to the Committee;
That the committee report to the Senate from time to time, no later than June 30, 2007.
At 12:40 p.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(e) the subcommittee proceeded in camera for consideration of a draft agenda.
At 1:00 p.m., the subcommittee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 31, 2006
(2)
[English]
The Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day, at 12:18 p.m. in room 9, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Michael Meighen, presiding.
Members of the subcommittee present: The Honourable senators Atkins, Cochrane, Kenny and Meighen (4).
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: James Cox, Analyst.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, May 11, 2006, and by the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence on Monday, May 8, 2006, the subcommittee began its study on the services and benefits provided to veterans in recognition of their services to Canada.
APPEARING:
The Honourable Gregory Francis Thompson, P.C., M.P., Minister of Veterans Affairs.
WITNESSES:
Veterans Affairs Canada:
Jack Stagg, Deputy Minister;
Verna Bruce, Associate Deputy Minister;
Brian Ferguson, Assistant Deputy Minister, Veterans Services;
Robert Mercer, Assistant Deputy Minister, Public Programs and Communications.
Veterans Review and Appeal Board:
Victor Marchand, Chair.
The Chair made an opening statement.
Minister Thompson made a presentation and responded to questions.
Mr. Stagg, Mr. Ferguson, Mr. Mercer and Ms. Bruce responded to questions.
The Chair made a closing statement.
At 1:30 p.m., the subcommittee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, June 7, 2006
(3)
[English]
The Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day, at 12:11 p.m. in room 9, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Michael Meighen, presiding.
Members of the subcommittee present: The Honourable senators Atkins, Dallaire, Kenny and Meighen (4).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Downe (1).
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: James Cox, Analyst.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, May 11, 2006, the subcommittee continued its study on the services and benefits provided to veterans in recognition of their services to Canada.
WITNESSES:
The Royal Canadian Legion:
Mary Ann Burdett, Dominion President;
Pierre Allard, Service Bureau Director.
Senator Atkins made a presentation to Ms. Burdett.
The Chair made an opening statement.
Ms. Burdett made a presentation.
Ms. Burdett and Mr. Allard responded to questions.
The Chair made a closing statement.
At 1:28 p.m., the subcommittee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Keli Hogan
Clerk of the Subcommittee