ACVA Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs met at 11:04 a.m. this day, in Room 209, West Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Peter Stoffer, it was agreed, — That David Sweet be elected Chair of the Committee.

By unanimous consent, the Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Vice-Chairs.

On motion of Alan Tonks, it was agreed, — That Robert Oliphant be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of David Sweet, it was agreed, — That Peter Stoffer be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

David Sweet took the Chair.

By unanimous consent, the Committee proceeded to the consideration of matters related to Committee business.

STATEMENT BY THE CHAIR

Pursuant to Order made by the House on Wednesday, March 3, 2010, the following routine motions in effect at the time of prorogation of the previous session are deemed to have been adopted by the Committee in the current session:

That the Committee retain, as needed and at the discretion of the Chair, the services of one (1) or more analysts from the Library of Parliament to assist it in its work.

That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the two (2) Vice-Chairs and a member of the other opposition party.

That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence and to have that evidence printed when a quorum is not present, provided that at least three (3) members are present, including one (1) member of the opposition.

That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the Committee only documents that are available in both official languages.

That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the Committee and its subcommittees.

That 48 hours’ notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee, unless the susbstantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration and, that the notice of motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and distributed to members in both official languages.

That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses not exceeding two (2) representatives per organization and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair.

That, during the questioning of witnesses, the time allocated to each questioner be as follows: on the first round of questioning in the following order: Liberal, seven (7) minutes, Bloc Québécois, seven (7) minutes, New Democratic Party (NDP), five (5) minutes and Conservative, seven (7) minutes; on the second round of questioning, five (5) minutes per party in the following order: Liberal, Bloc Québécois, Conservative, Liberal, Conservative, NDP, Conservative, Bloc Québécois, Liberal, Conservative, Liberal, Conservative, Liberal and Conservative.

At 11:11 a.m., the Committee proceeded to sit in camera.

It was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee resume the study reviewing the New Veterans Charter which began in the 2nd Session of the 40th Parliament; that the evidence and documentation received by the Committee during the 2nd Session of the 40th Parliament on the subject be taken into consideration by the Committee in this session; and that the Committee also study the problem of suicide among former members of the Canadian Forces and report its observations and recommendations to the House.

It was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee undertake a study of operational stress injuries (including post traumatic stress disorder) among former members of the Canadian Forces and produce a report including recommendations for how the federal government could provide improved mental health care to veterans in need.

It was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee undertake a study to examine the possibility of extending long-term care services offered by Veterans Affairs Canada through its own and contracted facilities (known as pavilions) to Canadian Forces veterans, including peacekeepers, who have served since the Korean War, and produce a report with recommendations on how the federal government can extend benefits to all Canadian Forces Veterans.

It was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee undertake a study into the spraying of defoliants at the Canadian Forces Base of Gagetown between 1956 and 1984 and write a report on the extent of the spraying program and how the federal government can properly compensate affected victims.

It was agreed, — That this Committee send a thank you letter to the former Minister of Veterans Affairs, the Hon. Greg Thompson.

It was agreed, — That the Minister of Veterans Affairs be invited to appear on Thursday, March 18, 2010, on Supplementary Estimates (C) 2009-2010 and on Main Estimates 2010-2011.

It was agreed, — That the Minister of Veterans affairs be invited to appear on the proposed transfer of Ste. Anne's Hospital to the Province of Quebec, including the investigation of a potential new mandate as a federal veterans facility.

At 12:10 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.