Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Security and Defence
Issue 19 - Fifteenth Report of the Committee
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence has the honour to table its
FIFTEENTH REPORT
Your committee, which was authorized to examine the subject-matter of those elements contained in Divisions 2 and 17 of Part 3 of Bill C-59, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on April 21, 2015 and other measures, has, in obedience to the order of reference of Thursday, May 14, 2015, examined the said subject matter and now reports as follows:
Division 2 of Part 3
Your committee held a meeting with officials from Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada, special advocates Gord Cameron and Anil Kapoor, and an academic, Dr. Salim Mansur, to examine the subject-matter of the provisions before it. Officials explained that the purpose of the proposed Prevention of Terrorist Travel Act and amendments to the Canadian Passport Order is to authorize the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada to revoke or cancel passports on terrorism and national security grounds. The legislation would create a new right of appeal when a passport has been cancelled on such grounds. Finally, the officials said the legislation would also establish a mechanism to protect evidence and other information used during judicial proceedings concerning this Act that could be injurious to national security or endanger the safety of any person.
Dr. Mansur argued in favour of the proposed Prevention of Terrorist Travel Act, saying it will provide an essential tool in the fight against terrorism. Both special advocates recommended that the Prevention of Terrorist Travel Act be amended to give Federal Court judges the discretion to call on the services of a special advocate to represent the interests of persons subject to a passport cancellation or revocation that has been based in part or whole on sensitive information shielded from disclosure.
Having questioned officials about the provisions proposed in Division 2, your committee agrees that the proposed changes will help to address threats to the security of Canada, and therefore recommends that Division 2 of Part 3 of Bill C-59 be approved without amendment.
Division 17 of Part 3
Your committee delegated the study of the subject-matter of Division 17 of Part 3 to the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs, which has reported to this committee as follows:
"Between May 27 and June 1st 2015, the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs held two public hearings to examine the provisions of the budget implementation bill affecting veterans. The Subcommittee heard testimony from the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Veterans Ombudsman, the Royal Canadian Legion, VeteranVoice.info and Ms. Jenny Migneault as an individual, and received two written submissions in this respect.
Specifically, Division 17 of Part 3 of Bill C-59 proposes to make five key changes to the Canadian Forces Members and Veterans Re-establishment and Compensation Act (The New Veterans Charter). It would define the purpose of the New Veterans Charter in order to clearly "recognize and fulfil the obligation of the people and Government of Canada" to members of the armed forces and to veterans. Further, it would allow the Minister of Veterans Affairs to intervene with members of the armed forces who are still serving in order to facilitate their transition to civilian life.
Importantly, the proposed amendments would also introduce three new benefits:
The retirement income security benefit, for which officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs estimated that approximately 260 veterans would become eligible over the next five years, representing costs of approximately $14 million dollars during this same period.
The critical injury benefit, which officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs estimate at roughly $10 million dollars over the next five years, the majority of which would be paid to approximately 120 individuals injured from 2006 to the present day. The remaining, more modest amount would be allocated to a smaller number of individuals who may sustain traumatic injuries in the coming years. Departmental officials anticipate this benefit would be directed predominantly to cases of physical injuries, as most mental health injuries, whose symptoms often take some time to appear, would not meet the criteria for being "the result of a sudden and single accident" and "immediately causing a severe impairment and severe interference in the quality of life".
The family caregiver relief benefit, whose annual amount was established by the Department based on costs for respite care of 30 days per year, is estimated to benefit approximately 350 families, representing a cost of $10.7 million over five years. Some witnesses indicated that this new respite benefit is insufficient and that there needs to be an adequate compensation put in place for a spouse who has to give up their job to become a caregiver.
Notwithstanding certain specific concerns, the provisions contained in Division 17 of the bill were generally well received, and considered to be "steps in the right direction" to reduce some of the gaps in the programs and services under the New Veterans Charter. While generally supportive, witnesses also highlighted the importance of continuing efforts to address ongoing gaps in programs and services to veterans. In particular, the need for the implementation of measures in the future to address the remaining needs identified by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs in their June 2014 report was also highlighted.
Witnesses underlined the importance of addressing compensation for pain and suffering, transition from military to civilian life and a service delivery that is centred on veterans and their families. More specifically, with regards to the transition to civilian life, the provisions of the bill to allow the Minister of Veterans Affairs to intervene earlier in the process were seen as a positive step. However, one witness mentioned that more resources, and better communication from the Department, were needed for these changes to be effective. Furthermore, the importance of support for families was highlighted, including assistance that would be available directly to family members.
Based on the entirety of the testimony placed before us, your Subcommittee supports the proposed amendments to the New Veterans Charter contained in Division 17 of Part 3 of Bill C-59."
Respectfully submitted,
DANIEL LANG
Chair