Proceedings of the Subcommittee on
Veterans Affairs
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, November 5, 1997
(1)
[English]
The Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day, in Room 705, Victoria Building, at 5:00 p.m., for the purpose of organization, pursuant to Rule 88.
Members of the Subcommittee present: The Honourable Senators Bonnell, Forest, Jessiman and Phillips. (4)
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Grant Purves, Research Officer.
Also 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 Chairman of this Subcommittee.
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 Jessiman moved -- That the Honourable Senator Bonnell be Deputy Chairman of this Subcommittee.
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 Chairman, the Deputy Chairman and the Honourable Senator Forest;
That the Subcommittee be empowered to make decisions on behalf of the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs with respect to its agenda, to invite witnesses and schedule hearings; and
That the Subcommittee report its decisions to the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Jessiman moved -- That the Subcommittee print 300 copies of its Proceedings and that the Chairman be authorized to adjust this number to meet demand.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Bonnell moved -- That, pursuant to rule 89, the Chairman 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 each party is present.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Bonnell moved -- That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure ask the Library of Parliament to assign officers to the Committee; and
That the Chairman, 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 Forest moved -- That, pursuant to section 32 of the Financial Administration Act, authority to commit funds be conferred on the Chairman or, in the Chairman's absence, the Deputy Chairman; and
That, pursuant to section 34 of the Financial Administration Act and guideline 3:05 of Appendix II of the Rules of the Senate, authority for certifying accounts payable by the Subcommittee be conferred on the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Jessiman 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.
The Honourable Senator Bonnell moved -- That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to allow coverage by electronic media of its public proceedings at its discretion.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The question of a time slot for meetings of the Subcommittee was referred to the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure.
The Honourable Senator Bonnell said that the Senate had, this afternoon, adopted the following motion:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology be authorized to examine and report on the state of health care in Canada concerning veterans of war and Canadian Service persons; that the study concern itself with the availability, quality and standards of health care available to those veterans and Service persons;
That the Committee have power to authorize television and radio broadcasting, as it deems appropriate, of any of its proceedings; and
That the Committee submit its report no later than June 30, 1998.
Senator Bonnell said that the Subcommittee may wish to travel in the course of its examination of the state of health care in Canada for veterans but the motion adopted in the Senate did not mention authorization to travel.
The Clerk said that if the Subcommittee wishes to travel, a budget is prepared and submitted to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration and eventually to the Senate for approval. When submitting the budget to the Senate for approval, a report is included with it asking permission to travel.
Senator Phillips said this matter will be discussed by the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure.
On motion of the Honourable Senator Forest, the Subcommittee adjourned at 5:07 p.m. to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Patrick J. Savoie
Clerk of the Subcommittee
OTTAWA, Tuesday, November 25, 1997
(2)
[English]
The Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day (in camera) at 10:48 a.m. in Room 705, Victoria Building, the Chairman, the Honourable Senator Phillips presiding.
Members of the subcommittee present: The Honourable Senators Bonnell, Cools, Jessiman and Phillips. (4)
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
The Hon. Senator Jessiman moved that the Subcommittee meet in camera.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Subcommittee proceeded to consider future business.
A copy of the proposed budget for the anticipated study on the state of health care concerning veterans in Canada was circulated to all those present.
After debate, the Honourable Senator Bonnell moved, --
THAT the budget application be concurred in, and that the Chairman submit it to the main Committee for approval.
Professional and Other Services $ 3,000
Transportation and
Communications 31,710
All Other Expenditures 2,000
Total
$36,710
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was agreed that the Subcommittee, for its study on health care to veterans, travel to Toronto, Montreal and Charlottetown on December 17, 18 and 19, 1997.
It was further agreed that the Chairman, in consultation with other members, arrange a meeting with the Royal Canadian Legion and other veterans organizations.
The Subcommittee adjourned at 11:00 a.m. to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Tõnu Onu
Acting Clerk of the Subcommittee