Proceedings of the Subcommittee on
Veterans Affairs
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Monday, October 18, 2004
(1)
[English]
The Standing Senate Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs met this day in room 160-S, Centre Block, at 4:55 p.m., for the purpose of organization, pursuant to rule 88.
Members of the subcommittee present: The Honourable Senators Atkins, Day, Forrestall, Kenny and Meighen (5).
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to rule 88, the Clerk of the Subcommittee presided over the election of the Chair.
The Honourable Senator Day moved, that the Honourable Senator Meighen be Chair of the subcommittee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Meighen assumed the Chair and made opening remarks.
The Honourable Senator Atkins moved that the Honourable Senator Day be Deputy Chair of this Subcommittee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Atkins moved that the following motions be adopted:
That the subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the Deputy Chair and one other member of the subcommittee to be designated after the usual consultation; and
That the subcommittee be empowered to make decisions on behalf of the subcommittee with respect to its agenda, to invite witnesses and schedule hearings;
That the subcommittee print its proceedings; and
That the Chair be authorized to adjust this number to meet demand;
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 representative of the government and a representative from the opposition are present;
That the subcommittee ask the Library of Parliament to assign research analysts to the subcommittee;
That the Chair be authorized to seek authority from the Senate to engage the services of such counsel and technical, clerical and other personnel as may be necessary for the purpose of the subcommittee's examination and consideration of such bills, subject-matters of bills and estimates as are referred to it;
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure 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;
That, pursuant to section 32 of the Financial Administration Act, and 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; and
That, pursuant to section 34 of the Financial Administration Act, and Section 8, Chapter 3:06 of the Senate Administrative Rules, authority for certifying accounts payable by the Subcommittee be conferred individually on the Chair, the Deputy Chair, and the Clerk of the Subcommittee;
That the subcommittee empower the Chair and Deputy Chair, 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; and
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to:
1) determine whether any member of the subcommittee 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 a function, event or meeting related to the work of the subcommittee; or (b) making a presentation related to the work of the subcommittee;
That, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witness expenses, the Subcommittee may reimburse reasonable travelling 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 Chair informed the subcommittee that the time slot for its meetings is on Wednesday from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m.
A discussion of issues to the mandate of the subcommittee followed.
It was agreed that the Chair be authorized to seek permission from the main committee to examine the following order of Reference:
That the Senate Committee on National Security and Defence be authorized to undertake a study on:
a) The services and benefits provided to veterans of war and peacekeeping missions in recognition of their services to Canada, in particular examining:
- access to priority beds for veterans in community hospitals;
- availability of alternative housing and enhanced home care;
- standardization of services throughout Canada;
- monitoring and accreditation of long term care facilities;
(b) The commemorative activities undertaken by the Department of Veterans Affairs to keep alive for all Canadians the memory of the veterans achievements and sacrifices; and
(c) The need for an updated Veterans Charter to outline the right to preventative care, family support, treatment and re-establishment benefits;
That the papers and evidence received and taken during the Third Session of the Thirty-seventh Parliament be referred to the committee;
That the subcommittee report to the Senate from time to time, no later than June 30, 2005.
At 5:05 p.m., the subcommittee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, December 8, 2004
(2)
[English]
The Standing Senate Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs met this day, at 12:18 p.m. in room 705, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Michael A. Meighen, presiding.
Members of the subcommittee present: The Honourable Senators Atkins, Day, Forrestall, Kenny and Meighen (5).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Downe (1).
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Grant Dawson, Analyst.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, November 4, 2004, the committee proceeded to study the services and benefits provided to veterans in recognition of their services to Canada.
APPEARING:
The Honourable Albina Guarnieri, P.C., M.P., Minister of Veterans Affairs.
WITNESSES:
Veterans Affairs Canada:
Jack Stagg, Deputy Minister;
Victor Marchand, Chair, Veterans Review and Appeal Board;
Brian Ferguson, Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services.
The committee proceeded to the consideration of a draft budget.
It was moved by Senator Atkins:
That the following special study budget application be approved; and
That the Chair submit same to the Standing Committee on National Security and Defence:
| Professional and Other Services | $ 6,500 |
| Transportation and Communications | $ 2,170 |
| All Other Expenditures | $ 1,000 |
| Total | $ 9,670 |
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 12:20 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 12:25 p.m., the committee resumed.
The Chair made an opening statement.
Minister Guarnieri made a statement and responded to questions.
Mr. Stagg, Mr. Ferguson and Mr. Marchand responded to questions.
The Chair made a closing statement.
At 1:30 p.m., the subcommittee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Keli Hogan
Clerk of the Subcommittee