THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL SECURITY, DEFENCE AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Monday, December 8, 2025
(9)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs met this day at 4:01 p.m., in room C128, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Hassan Yussuff, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Anderson, Cardozo, Carignan, P.C., Dasko, Hay, McNair, Patterson, White, Youance and Yussuff (10).

Participating in the meeting: Ariel Shapiro and Anne-Marie Therrien-Tremblay, analysts, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, the committee began its examination of the subject matter of those elements contained in Divisions 19, 20 and 21 of Part 5 of Bill C-15, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on November 4, 2025.

WITNESSES:

Royal Canadian Mounted Police:

Jeff Hutcheson, Director General, Corporate Management and Controllership;

Joanne Rigon, Director General, National Compensation Service.

Veterans Affairs Canada:

Julie Drury, Acting Director General, Policy and Research;

Stephen Anstey, Senior Director, Strategic Costing and Statistical Analysis;

Nathan Svenson, Senior Director, Disability and Health Care Policy.

National Police Federation:

Brian Sauvé, President and Chief Executive Officer.

National Association of Federal Retirees:

Anthony Pizzino, Chief Executive Officer;

Patrick Imbeau, Senior Advisor, Retirement Income Security.

Royal Canadian Legion:

Carolyn Hughes, Director, Veterans Services (by videoconference).

As individuals:

Michel Drapeau, Colonel-Maître, Michel Drapeau Law Office;

Dennis Manuge, Canadian Forces Veteran (by videoconference).

Julie Drury and Joanne Rigon each made a statement and, together with Jeff Hutcheson, Stephen Anstey and Nathan Svenson, answered questions.

At 5:04 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:11 p.m., the committee resumed.

Brian Sauvé, Anthony Pizzino and Carolyn Hughes each made a statement and, together with Patrick Imbeau, answered questions.

At 6:06 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 6:17 p.m., the committee resumed.

Michel Drapeau and Dennis Manuge each made a statement and answered questions.

At 7:04 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 7:09 p.m., the committee resumed.

It was agreed:

That the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs be established to study matters which may be referred to it by the committee;

That the membership of the subcommittee be as follows: the Honourable Senators Anderson, Ince, MacAdam, McNair, Muggli and Patterson, three of whom shall constitute a quorum;

That the provisions of rule 12-5 for membership changes apply to the subcommittee;

That, pursuant to rule 12-9(2), the committee's authority to send for persons, papers and records, whenever required, and to publish from day to day such papers and evidence as may be ordered by it, be conferred on the subcommittee;

That, pursuant to section 6 (1), Chapter 3:05 of the Senate Administrative Rules, the committee's authority to commit funds be conferred on the subcommittee;

That, pursuant to section 7 (1), Chapter 3:05 of the Senate Administrative Rules, the committee's authority for certifying accounts payable be conferred on to the subcommittee;

That, notwithstanding the foregoing, in cases related to consultants and personnel services, the committee’s authority to commit funds and certify accounts be conferred jointly on the chair and deputy chair of the subcommittee;

That the committee's authority, pursuant to paragraph 8(3)(a) of the Senators Attendance Policy, be conferred on the subcommittee;

That the committee's power to permit coverage by electronic media of its public meetings be conferred on the subcommittee; and

That, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witness expenses, the authority of the committee to reimburse reasonable travelling and living expenses for witnesses, be conferred on the subcommittee.

It was agreed:

That the following order of reference adopted by the Senate on October 8, 2025, be delegated to the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs:

That the Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs be authorized to examine and report on:

(a) services and benefits provided to members of the Canadian Armed Forces, to veterans who have served honorably in the past, to members and former members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and its antecedents, and their families;

(b) commemorative activities undertaken by the Department of Veterans Affairs Canada, to keep alive for all Canadians the memory of Canadian veterans’ achievements and sacrifices; and

(c) continuing implementation of the Veterans Well-being Act; and

That the committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than October 10, 2027, and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings for 180 days after the tabling of the final report.

At 7:15 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 7:16 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to consider a draft agenda (future business).

It was agreed that the committee allow the audio recording of the in camera portion of today's meeting, that one copy be kept with the clerk of the committee for consultation by committee members or staff, and that the recording be destroyed by the clerk when authorized to do so by the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, but no later than at the end of this parliamentary session.

At 7:46 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Ericka Paajanen

Clerk of the Committee