Veterans Affairs Committee on Nov. 5th, 2009

[The Chair, Conservative, David Sweet]

Yes, and I believe we have consensus that we will dispose of the bill that day as well. So we'll get information and make sure it's sent back to the House in whatever way we agree on that day.

We have just a little time left. I know I had to stay disciplined on the time, gentlemen, and a couple of times I know you wanted to get some things in; however, we still only have minimal amount of time, and unless there's unanimous consent, I have to gavel the meeting out. I would not want to do that to you, because you all serve this nation well. So please stay disciplined, if you would, so I won't have to do that. Take just two minutes each to finish up.

Again, I'll start with Mr. Mallette.

You have two minutes, sir, please.

[Pierre Mallette]

I would like to thank you for giving us the opportunity to come here this morning.

If we had one thing to ask of you, it would be, please, try to find a way of including us in the bill. We aren't there.

We would also like to send a message to all of the parties. We have been working on the 2.33% for a long time. We would like to be able to solve this problem. We would like to have confirmations, that there will be a table we can talk at.

Thank you very much. I hope to have the chance to talk to you about the pension again some day. Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Sweet]

Mr. White.

[Brad White]

Yes, and I'd also like to thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today.

I would ask that you keep a couple of things in mind in your further deliberations.

Members of the Canadian Forces and members of the RCMP have an unlimited liability to serve. I would ask you to consider our government and nation's commitment to them. I think that needs to be taken into your thoughts as you deliberate on this type of thing. We in the Royal Canadian Legion are asking for fairness--fairness in how people are treated, whether they're veterans from before, veterans from today, or veterans in the future.

Communication is a very important point that has been brought up. How changes are communicated to people is important, so they hear and understand them. We can speak but we don't hear. So I would ask you to consider those issues when you go through your deliberations and think about the impact it's going to have on these people: my generation of veterans, past generations of veterans, and future generations of veterans.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Sweet]

Thank you, Mr. White.

Mr. O'Handley.

[Roddie O'Handley]

Thank you for having me here today. It is much appreciated. I wish I was better spoken than I am.

Having said that, I can be blunt. Do you want to try me?

This gentleman asked a question about why he thought we should get fairness. He went into other places. Here is why I think we're not being treated fairly. I paid into an RCMP pension at 2% a year. I worked for 32 years. I got 64%. The RCMP Pension Plan should not have the right to cut me if I qualify for a disability pension. If I qualify under the rules, if I qualify for a disability pension, I'm entitled to 75% of my wages. The RCMP Pension Plan cut me by $719 when I got the Canada Disability Pension Plan, because the Superannuation Act gave them the right to do it. That's not fair. That's not fair to me; that's not fair to the people, the RCMP members, or anybody else sitting here at the table. That's the bottom line.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Sweet]

Thank you, Mr. O'Handley.

Mr. Labelle.

[John Labelle]

Mr. Chairman, members of Parliament, ladies and gentlemen, I wish to thank you for inviting me here today.

I want you to understand that this is an issue of fairness, of justice, and allowing the democratic system to work properly. With regard to the question the gentleman asked about unemployment insurance, fewer than 1% of the people in the Canadian Forces ever receive unemployment insurance. The only ones who are entitled to receive it are those who have paternity or maternity leave. The others receive severance pay. That makes them unentitled to receive benefits.

You have my brief, Mr. Chair. I thank you. We veterans look for the support of all members of Parliament, and we thank you very much for this presentation.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Sweet]

Thank you, Mr. Labelle.

Thank you to the witnesses.

Several members of the committee said it today, and perhaps they would allow me to say it for all the committee so it's very clear. One of the things there's absolutely no question about is our gratitude for your service, whether it's law enforcement, which allows us to lay our head securely at night and get a good night's sleep knowing you're there, or whether it's the Canadian Forces making sure we're able to live the peace and freedom and democracy we so love.

I want you to leave with that thought, knowing we're going into Remembrance Week as well. You have our best intentions to do what we can for you, and our heartfelt gratitude.

The meeting is adjourned.