Proceedings of the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs

Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, November 21, 2007
(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 12:09 p.m., for the purpose of organization.

Members of the subcommittee present: The Honourable Senators Banks, Day, Kenny, Meighen and Nancy Ruth (5).

Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Dallaire (1).

In attendance: Gaëtane Lemay, co-clerk of the subcommittee, Committees Directorate; James S. Cox, analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

The clerk of the subcommittee presided over the election of the chair.

The Honourable Senator Day moved, that the Honourable Senator Meighen do take the 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 Meighen 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 Day 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 chair and deputy chair 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 Day 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 Kenny moved:

That the subcommittee empower the chair and deputy chair 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 subcommittee.

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

The Honourable Senator Nancy Ruth moved:

That the chair and deputy chair 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 Day 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.

The Honourable Senator Kenny moved:

That the chair and deputy chair be empowered to allow, at their discretion, coverage by electronic media of the subcommittee's public proceedings with the least possible disruption of its hearings.

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

At 12:20 p.m., the subcommittee proceeded to discuss its agenda (future business).

At 12:57 p.m., the subcommittee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

OTTAWA, November 28, 2007
(2)

[English]

The Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day in camera at 12:10 p.m., in room 172-E, Centre Block, the chair, the Honourable Michael A. Meighen, presiding.

Members of the subcommittee present: The Honourable Senators Banks, Day, Meighen and Nancy Ruth (4).

In attendance: Gaëtane Lemay, co-clerk of the subcommittee, Committees Directorate; James S. Cox, analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 and delegated on Monday, November 26, 2007 by the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence, the subcommittee began its study on the services and benefits provided to veterans in recognition of their services to Canada.

Pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee considered its draft agenda.

It was agreed that staff be permitted to remain during the in camera meeting.

It was agreed that the next scheduled meeting of the subcommittee be cancelled in order to allow the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence to meet informally with the Ambassador of Afghanistan.

It was agreed that the following special study budget application (services and benefits provided to veterans in recognition of their services to Canada), be approved and submitted to the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence:

At 12:53 p.m., the subcommittee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Shaila Anwar

Clerk of the Subcommittee