Proceedings of the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, April 29, 2009
(1)
[English]
The Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day at 12:01 p.m., in room 172-E, Centre Block, for the purpose of organization.
Members of the subcommittee present: The Honourable Senators Banks, Kenny, and Wallin (3).
In attendance: James S. Cox, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
The clerk of the subcommittee notified members that the chair of the committee, the Honourable Michael A. Meighen, was unavoidably absent.
The clerk of the subcommittee presided over the election of an acting chair.
The Honourable Senator Wallin moved, that the Honourable Senator Banks be acting chair of this subcommittee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Banks took the chair.
The acting chair presided over the election of a deputy chair.
The Honourable Senator Wallin moved, that the Honourable Senator Banks be deputy chair of this subcommittee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The acting chair made a statement.
The Honourable Senator Kenny 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 Kenny moved:
That the subcommittee print its proceedings; and
That the chair be authorized to set the number to meet demand.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Kenny 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 Wallin moved:
That the subcommittee ask the Library of Parliament to assign analysts to the subcommittee; and
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 Kenny 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; and
That, pursuant to 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; 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.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Wallin 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 Wallin moved:
That the chair and deputy chair 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 an event or meeting related to the work of the subcommittee; or (b) making a presentation related to the work of the subcommittee; and
That the 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 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 Honourable Senator Wallin moved:
That the chair and deputy chair be empowered to seek, as often as possible, coverage by electronic media of the subcommittee's public proceedings, in a room in the Centre Block that is equipped for television.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The committee proceeded to discuss future business.
At 12:19 p.m., the subcommittee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 6, 2009
(2)
[English]
The Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day at 12:16 p.m., in room 257, East Block, the chair, the Honourable Michael A. Meighen, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Banks, Day, Kenny, Meighen and Wallin (5).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Downe and Manning (2).
In attendance: James S. Cox, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday April 29, 2009 and delegated on Wednesday May 6, 2009 by the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence, the subcommittee commenced its study on the services and benefits provided to veterans, members of the Canadian Forces, the RCMP and its antecedents; and all of their families.
WITNESS:
Veterans Affairs Canada:
Colonel (Ret'd) Patrick Stogran, Veterans Ombudsman.
The chair made opening remarks.
Colonel Stogran made a statement and answered questions.
At 1:25 p.m., the subcommittee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Shaila Anwar
Clerk of the Subcommittee