National Defence Committee on Nov. 27th, 2012

[John McKay, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood, ON]

The minister announced $11 million for the mental health initiative, which I would of course support. I'm not clear as to where that $11 million comes from, because I don't see it in the supplementary estimates; correct me if I'm wrong.

If it's not in the supplementary estimates, where did it come from? You apparently are not asking for it.

[Vice-Admiral Bruce Donaldson, Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff, Department of National Defence]

In reprogramming the $11 million, we looked at our cost move account, which is an allocation of a little over $400 million a year for all of the moves across the country, an area where we want to make some savings by doing smarter business. That allows us to actually target that $11.4 million to be provided to supplement the mental health—

[John McKay, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood, ON]

Is that in the real estate file?

[VAdm Bruce Donaldson]

No, it's out of the cost move account, the cost of moving people from Ottawa to the west coast or from the west coast to Toronto and that type of thing.

[John McKay, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood, ON]

Is it a relocation fund?

[VAdm Bruce Donaldson]

Yes.

[John McKay, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood, ON]

So out of the relocation fund you get $11 million for—

[VAdm Bruce Donaldson]

We have found efficiencies in that account that will offset the $11.4 million. It's been reinvested in mental health.

[John McKay, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood, ON]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

Thank you.

Mr. Alexander, you have the last question.

[Chris Alexander, Conservative, Ajax—Pickering, ON]

Thanks, Chair.

My question does relate directly to the supplementary estimates (B) before us. I must say as a Canadian taxpayer that I find it extraordinary that our colleagues from the opposition would move a motion about information from the Parliamentary Budget Officer while a minister is in front of the committee, a minister with a very extensive team prepared to answer questions about the detail of the supplementary estimates (B). It's a sad commentary on the seriousness with which they treat national defence issues.

My question is about the Canadian Forces service income security insurance plan. Given the exchange between John McKay and the minister earlier, I'd like our witnesses to clarify that the only money thus far announced through the estimates process in these supplementary estimates is indeed $205 million, and to add what this funding will be used for and why it's sought at this time.

[MGen Robert Bertrand]

Thank you for the question.

The only funding announced so far for SISIP is the $205 million in the supplementary estimates that you see here before you.

The litigation on the court case is ongoing. Last week, in the government's update to the economic and fiscal projections, an update on that was provided by the Minister of Finance, it was said that the cost of these changes for DND and Veterans Affairs is estimated to be $1.9 billion over seven years, of which $0.5 billion was recorded in 2011-12. Of the remaining amount, $1.1 billion is expected to be recorded in 2012-13, with the remainder being recorded in subsequent years.

[Robert Fonberg]

There's one point of clarification, Mr. Chair.

The litigation is not ongoing. The negotiations with the class are ongoing.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

Thank you.

Committee members, we have considered the supplementary estimates (B). I'm going to call the votes on the different line items.

Shall vote 1b under National Defence carry?

NATIONAL DEFENCE

Department

Vote 1b—Operating expenditures..........$1

(Vote 1b agreed to)

Vote 5b—Capital expenditures..........$1

(Vote 5b agreed to)

Communications Security Establishment

Vote 20b—Program expenditures..........$1

(Vote 20b agreed to)

Military Police Complaints Commission

Vote 25b—Program expenditures..........$4,015,226

(Vote 25b agreed to)

Shall I report the supplementary estimates (B) 2012-13 back to the House?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

Thank you very much. I want to thank our witnesses for coming in and helping us out with our study today. With that I entertain a motion to adjourn.

[An hon. member]

I so move.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

The meeting is adjourned.