It's possible, certainly.
Evidence of meeting #85 for National Defence in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was housing.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #85 for National Defence in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was housing.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:15 p.m.
NDP
Lindsay Mathyssen NDP London—Fanshawe, ON
Thank you.
I want to hear from you, Ms. Truong. You spoke about the challenges that spouses have, especially when they are potentially fleeing domestic violence.
I've been told that when partners split, the partner, typically the woman, has to stay near or on base with the children. The spouse gets all the rights. The active serving member gets all the rights in terms of where they're located. I don't know if you have experience with this, but could you expand on it in terms of rights for spouses in that regard as well?
4:20 p.m.
As an Individual
I certainly cannot speak officially, but I can speak based on my own experience working with and alongside military spouses.
That is correct. I'll give an example. At Borden, if someone were fleeing domestic violence and children were involved, they would more than likely need to live in the geographical area, which is not affordable. That often can place individuals in a difficult position because they are unable to afford it and, therefore, have to make difficult decisions with regard to custody arrangements. It is certainly a concern.
I would certainly love to see some greater advocacy and guidelines around what happens in these types of situations to ensure that both the family and the member are protected.
4:20 p.m.
NDP
Lindsay Mathyssen NDP London—Fanshawe, ON
In terms of any of those financial supports, PLD, CFHD or whatever, are any of those extended to those family members in circumstances where they have to find additional housing because of an abusive situation or a breakdown in the family unit?
4:20 p.m.
As an Individual
No. When you're a military member living on base, your rent comes off your pay. Therefore, any thing or money that gets allocated is a benefit to the military member, not to the family.
4:20 p.m.
NDP
Lindsay Mathyssen NDP London—Fanshawe, ON
Ms. Hill, I want you to expand on this.
I don't know if your research expanded to.... In terms of children who are moving around and are experiencing these difficulties throughout their life, and all of the things that you mentioned, can you expand...? Have you looked at what happens after they age out? As adults, what are the complications? What are we looking at that way? Could you be more explicit on that?
4:20 p.m.
Ph.D. candidate, Queen's University, As an Individual
From a Canadian perspective, I'm not aware of any research that has looked at that. Again, that's another further area for research. You'll probably hear me say that a lot today as it relates to military-connected children and youth and education. We just don't have the research. I think it would be a great further area.
In saying that, there is a body of work that is coming out of the U.K., particularly around post-secondary or higher education pathways—so once they've graduated—that somewhat relates. Otherwise, no, there isn't any research that I'm aware of.
4:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal John McKay
Thank you, Ms. Mathyssen.
Next is a five-minute round.
Mr. Kelly, you have five minutes.
4:20 p.m.
Conservative
Pat Kelly Conservative Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB
Thank you.
We had some testimony last week about the condition of homes. There was a lot of talk about average and below-average homes. Average, of course, is a statistic compared with everything else. Homes could all deteriorate at the same pace and still be in average condition.
In the mortgage business, when we read an appraisal, an average condition home is really meant to mean a “not in very nice condition” type of place.
4:20 p.m.
A voice
It's a starter.
4:20 p.m.
Conservative
Pat Kelly Conservative Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB
I'd ask both Sergeant Banks and Ms. Truong about the actual condition of a typical dwelling on base.
4:20 p.m.
Sergeant (Retired), As an Individual
I would struggle to say that it's all the same because it's going to be wildly different from base to base.
4:20 p.m.
Conservative
Pat Kelly Conservative Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB
Perhaps you could give some examples from your career.
4:20 p.m.
Sergeant (Retired), As an Individual
There's paint peeling, lead paint identification, asbestos identification that takes years to remediate, broken faucets, broken utilities, you name it.
4:20 p.m.
Conservative
Pat Kelly Conservative Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB
Is that the characterization you would say is average?
4:20 p.m.
Conservative
Pat Kelly Conservative Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB
A typical dwelling on base would have health hazards like exposed asbestos and paint peeling.
4:25 p.m.
Sergeant (Retired), As an Individual
When I speak, I'm not saying it's limited to the housing units. I'm talking about every building that was built prior to the 1980s.
4:25 p.m.
Conservative
Pat Kelly Conservative Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB
That's most of the buildings. Most of the buildings were built in the 1950s and 1960s. Is that correct?
4:25 p.m.
Sergeant (Retired), As an Individual
That's my understanding. However, I can only speak to the bases that I've been training on.
4:25 p.m.
Conservative
Pat Kelly Conservative Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB
Thank you.
Ms. Truong, do you want to get in on that?
4:25 p.m.
As an Individual
Sure. I had the opportunity to be a spouse on two bases.
In Greenwood we had a fully renovated RHU. We were the first ones, I believe, to live in it. It was what I would consider above average.
In Borden we live in what I would consider an average RHU. It was renovated in the early 2010s. It is livable. However, beyond living conditions on the surface, personally we have experienced sewage backups, the furnace breaking, hot water issues. Along with just the foundation of the home, there are still aspects of living on base that have the internal workings of the home that can be problematic as well.
I know that in Borden there are lots of unrenovated RHUs. Those would be what Sergeant Banks was talking about, with some paint chipping off into dishes, warning signs, that sort of thing. Borden has done a good job of remediating lots of the RHUs, but there is still room for improvement.
4:25 p.m.
Conservative
Pat Kelly Conservative Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB
It's typical in a dwelling to have warnings about hazards to the occupants' health. That's normal in a house on base.