Proceedings of the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, March 17, 2010
(1)
[Français]
The Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day at 12:00 p.m., in room 172-E, Centre Block, for the purpose of organization.
Members of the subcommittee present: The Honourable Senators Banks, Manning, Meighen, Pépin and Wallin (5).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Dallaire, Day and Nolin (3).
In attendance: James S. Cox and Jean-Rodrigue Paré, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament; and Tracie LeBlanc, Communications Officer, Communications Directorate.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
The clerk of the subcommittee presided over the election of the chair.
The Honourable Senator Wallin moved:
That the Honourable Senator Banks do take the chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The clerk invited Senator Banks to take the chair.
The chair presided over the election of the deputy chair.
The Honourable Senator Wallin moved:
That the Honourable Senator Manning be the deputy chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Pépin 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 to schedule hearings.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Wallin moved:
That the subcommittee publish its proceedings; and
That the chair be authorized to set the number of printed copies to meet demand.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Meighen 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 member of the subcommittee from both the government and the opposition be present.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Pépin moved:
That the subcommittee asks the Library of Parliament to assign analysts to the subcommittee;
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 Pépin moved:
That, pursuant to 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;
That, pursuant to section 8, Chapter 3:06 of the Senate Administrative Rules, authority for certifying accounts payable by the committee be conferred individually on the chair, the deputy chair, and the clerk of the subcommittee; and
That, notwithstanding the foregoing, in cases related to consultants and personnel services, the authority to commit funds and certify accounts be conferred jointly on the chair and deputy chair.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Meighen 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 Manning moved:
That chair and deputy chair be authorized to:
1) determine whether any member of the committee 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 an event or meeting related to the work of the subcommittee; or (b) making a presentation related to the work of the committee; and
That chair and deputy chair report at the earliest opportunity any decisions taken with respect to the designation of members of the subcommittee travelling on subcommittee business.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Wallin moved:
That, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witness expenses, the subcommittee may reimburse reasonable traveling 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 Wallin moved:
That chair and deputy chair be empowered to direct communications officer(s) assigned to the subcommittee in the development of communications plans where appropriate and to request the services of the Senate Communications Directorate for the purposes of their development and implementation;
That the chair be authorized to seek permission from the Senate to permit coverage by electronic media of the committee's public proceedings with the least possible disruption of its hearings; and
That chair and deputy chair be empowered to allow such coverage at its discretion.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 1:30 p.m. the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, March 31, 2010
(2)
[Français]
The Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met in camera this day at 12:07 p.m., in room 172-E, Centre Block, the chair, the Honourable Tommy Banks, presiding.
Members of the subcommittee present: The Honourable Senators Banks, Manning, Nolin, Pépin and Wallin (5).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Dallaire, Day and Downe (3).
In attendance: James S. Cox and Jean-Rodrigue Paré, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament; and Tracie LeBlanc, Communications Officer, Communications Directorate.
Pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee considered its draft agenda.
It was agreed that senators' staff be permitted to remain in the room for today's meeting.
At 1:13 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, April 14, 2010
(3)
[Français]
The Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day at 12:09 p.m., in room 257, East Block, the chair, the Honourable Tommy Banks, presiding.
Members of the subcommittee present: The Honourable Senators Banks, Manning, Meighen, Pépin and Wallin (5).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Day (1).
In attendance: James S. Cox, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament; and Tracie LeBlanc, Communications Officer, Communications Directorate.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, March 30, 2010, and delegated on Monday, April 12, 2010 by the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence, the subcommittee commenced its study on the services and benefits provided to members of the Canadian Forces; to veterans; to members and former members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and their families.
WITNESSES:
Veterans Affairs Canada:
Ken Miller, Director, Program and Policy Directorate;
Brenda MacCormack, Director, Rehabilitation Directorate;
Jane Hicks, Director, Operational Direction and Guidance.
Ken Miller made a statement and, together with Brenda MacCormack and Jane Hicks, answered questions.
At 13:35 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Kevin Pittman
Clerk of the Subcommittee