Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Social Affairs,
Science and Technology
Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, December 11, 1996
(1)
[English]
The Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs of the Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 1:15 p.m. for the purpose of organization, pursuant to Rule 88.
Members of the subcommittee present: The Honourable Senators Bonnell, Cohen, Cools and Phillips (4).
In attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
The Clerk of the Subcommittee presided over the election of the Chairman.
The Honourable Senator Bonnell moved, -- THAT the Honourable Senator Phillips be Chair of the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Senator Phillips was invited by the Clerk of the Subcommittee to take the Chair.
The Honourable Senator Cools moved, -- THAT the Honourable Senator Bonnell be Deputy Chair of the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Bonnell moved, -- THAT the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the Deputy Chair and the Honourable Senator Cools.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Cools moved, -- THAT the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to make decisions on behalf of the committee with respect to its agenda and procedure; and
THAT the subcommittee be empowered to invite witnesses and schedule hearings.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Bonnell moved, -- THAT the subcommittee print 200 copies of its proceedings and that the Chair be authorized to adjust this number from time to time to meet demand.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Bonnell 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.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Bonnell moved, -- THAT the subcommittee request the Library of Parliament to assign research officers to it; and
THAT the Chair 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 Cools moved, -- THAT, pursuant to section 32 of the Financial Administration Act, authority to commit funds be conferred on the Chair, or in the Chair's absence, the Deputy Chair; and
THAT, pursuant to section 34 of the Financial Administration Act, and Guideline 3:05 of Appendix 11 of the Rules of the Senate, authority for certifying accounts payable by the Subcommittee be conferred on the Chair or the Deputy Chair.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Cools moved, -- THAT, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witnesses expenses, the subcommittee may reimburse reasonable travelling and living expenses for no more than two witnesses from any one organization and payment will take place upon application.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was agreed, -- THAT the meetings of the subcommittee take place on Wednesday afternoon at 3:30 p.m.
A copy of the draft budget of the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs was circulated to all members.
The Honourable Senator Bonnell moved, -- THAT the following budget application for the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs be concurred in and that the Chair submit same to the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology for approval:
Professional and other services $ 6,300.00
Transportation and communications 24,802.70
Total $31,103.00
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 1:30 p.m. the subcommittee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Monday, January 20, 1997
(2)
[English]
The Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met at 1:03 p.m. this day in room 356-S, Centre Block, the Chairman, the Honourable Senator Orville H. Phillips, presiding.
Members of the subcommittee present: The Honourable Senators Bonnell, Cohen, Cools and Phillips. (4)
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Jessiman.
In attendance: Grant Purves, Research Officer, Research Branch, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
WITNESSES:
From the Royal Canadian Legion:
Ralph Annis, Chairman, Veterans Service Committee;
Jim Rycroft, Director, Service Bureau;
Ted Keast, Assistant Director, Service Bureau.
From the National Council of Veteran Associations in Canada:
Brian Forbes, Honorary Secretary General;
Faye Lavell, Director, National Service Bureau;
Danita Chisholm, Director of Communications.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on December 10, 1996, and by the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology on December 11, 1996, the subcommittee began its examination on the implementation by the Department of Veterans Affairs of measures to expedite the adjudication of pensions.
Mssrs Ralph Annis and Jim Rycroft of the Royal Canadian Legion made statements and answered questions.
The brief presented by the Royal Canadian Legion was retained by the subcommittee as Exhibit 6050-2.35/V1 SS1-8.1 "1".
Mr. Brian Forbes, Ms Faye Lavell and Ms Danita Chisholm of the National Council of Veteran Associations in Canada made statements and answered questions.
It was agreed, -- That the brief presented by the National Council of Veterans Associations in Canada be printed as an appendix to this day's Proceedings of the Subcommittee (See Appendix 6050-2.35/V1- SS1 "1".)
At 3:50 p.m., the subcommittee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Patrick J. Savoie
Clerk of the Subcommittee