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ACVA Committee Meeting

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Minutes of Proceedings

45th Parliament, 1st Session
Meeting 5
Tuesday, October 7, 2025, 3:30 p.m. to 5:29 p.m.
Webcast
Presiding
Marie-France Lalonde, Chair (Liberal)

• Dave Epp for Arnold Viersen (Conservative)
• Ted Falk for Blake Richards (Conservative)
Library of Parliament
• Jean-Rodrigue Paré, Analyst
Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families
• Fardous Hosseiny, President and Chief Executive Officer
• Gabrielle Dupuis, Director, Research Partnerships and Government Affairs
Veterans Association Food Bank
• Marie Blackburn, Executive Director
Veterans Transition Network
• Oliver Thorne, Chief Executive Officer
Wounded Warriors Canada
• Philip Ralph, Captain (Retired), Director, Clinical Services
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Thursday, September 18, 2025, the committee resumed its study of suicide prevention among veterans.

Fardous Hosseiny, Marie Blackburn, Oliver Thorne and Philip Ralph made statements and, with Gabrielle Dupuis, answered questions.

Motion

Blake Richards moved, — That, according to the training received by the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs on trauma informed practices and with recognition of the immense courage it takes for witnesses to recount their stories related to suicide, that this committee extend the current study on suicide prevention to no less than 10 meetings in order to accommodate all witnesses who wish to give testimony to ensure all are heard on this gravely important matter.

Debate arose thereon.

At 4:27 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 4:30 p.m., the meeting resumed.

Motion

Sean Casey moved, — That the debate be now adjourned.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Tatiana Auguste, Sean Casey, Braedon Clark, Alana Hirtle — 4;

NAYS: Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, Blake Richards, Fraser Tolmie, Arnold Viersen, Cathay Wagantall — 5.

The committee resumed consideration of the motion of Blake Richards.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, Blake Richards, Fraser Tolmie, Arnold Viersen, Cathay Wagantall — 5;

NAYS: Tatiana Auguste, Sean Casey, Braedon Clark, Alana Hirtle — 4.

Questioning of the witnesses resumed.

At 5:29 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.



Eric Glavin
Clerk of the committee