Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Security and Defence
Issue 5 - Evidence - May 6, 2009
OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 6, 2009
The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day at 12:08 p.m. for the delegation of the study on services and benefits provided to veterans and their families to the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs.
Senator Colin Kenny (Chair) in the chair.
[English]
The Chair: This is a meeting of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence. Time is short, so I will not go through the usual introductions today.
We are here to regularize the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs. I would like a motion that the order of reference regarding veterans affairs adopted by the Senate on April 29, 2009, be delegated to the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs.
It is moved by Senator Zimmer. Is there any discussion?
Senator Moore: Question.
The Chair: Those in favour?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Opposed?
Carried.
Is there any other business?
Senator Banks: I would like to move a motion, chair. I know we want to move to the subcommittee as quickly as we can.
I move that the chair of the committee be authorized to represent the committee when the budget application adopted on April 27, 2009, is considered by the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets, and Administration or any subcommittee thereof so that we can proceed forthwith.
Senator Wallin: Is this the chair of the subcommittee?
The Chair: To which committee are you referring?
Senator Banks: I am referring to the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence. We do not have any money yet. We have to move with alacrity to do that.
Senator Wallin: Could you please explain? I thought you were talking about the subcommittee.
Senator Banks: No. The order of business is that the parent committee is meeting now. We, and therefore no one else, including the subcommittee, have no money. I am moving that the Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence be authorized to represent the committee when the budget application, which we adopted on April 27, is before either the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets, and Administration or any subcommittee thereof so we can move forthwith.
Senator Meighen: If we did not adopt your motion or you did not put the motion forward, what would be the difference? Would the chair not do that naturally?
Senator Banks: I am hopeful he would, but that has not happened yet. Therefore, I am hopeful this motion will give impetus to the committee to instruct the chair to do that.
Senator Meighen: The chair normally represents the committee before Internal Economy.
Senator Banks: Yes. I am simply reiterating that fact.
Senator Manning: In my past life in the House of Commons, I was Chair of the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans. Anytime we went to the Board of Internal Economy, I represented the committee there.
Senator Banks: It is normal. I simply want it to happen as quickly as it possibly can so we can get on with things.
The Chair: Is there any further discussion? All in favour?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Opposed?
Carried.
Senator Wallin: I am assuming it is like any committee in that we can all attend if we so choose.
The Chair: No. In fact, the subcommittee only invites chairs.
Senator Banks: You are talking about the Subcommittee on the Review of Committee Budgets?
The Chair: Yes. No one else has ever attended any of the sessions that I have been to before.
Senator Manning: My understanding is that the chair can make the presentation and anyone can go into the meeting.
Senator Wallin: I think Senator Tkachuk attended last year. Therefore, I will probably do the same as deputy chair.
The Chair: No, he did not ever attend. Senator Downe was on the committee.
Senator Downe: I was a member of the Subcommittee on the Review of Committee Budgets last year. The chairs of committees presented their budgets.
Senator Wallin: I am sure they would present their budgets. I am talking about attendance.
Senator Downe: No, only the chairs attend the subcommittee. I should explain. The budget then goes to the Internal Economy Committee, where anyone can attend.
Senator Wallin: I will deal with the chair of the committee and seek permission to attend. That is fine.
The Chair: Are there any other questions?
Senator Banks: Are we adjourned?
The Chair: I did not want to do that too quickly.
There is a motion on the floor to adjourn. All those in favour?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Opposed?
Carried.
(The committee adjourned.)