Merci.
Evidence of meeting #4 for Veterans Affairs in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was france.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #4 for Veterans Affairs in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was france.
A recording is available from Parliament.
February 23rd, 2009 / 4:10 p.m.
Conservative
Greg Kerr Conservative West Nova, NS
Thank you very much, Colonel, for joining us today.
In your presentation you were talking in terms of the services provided by your defence department or minister of state for defence, and I notice that one of the examples is that non-military disabled--in other words, civilian disabled--are able to be retrained at those facilities. Do you have many examples where civilian and military facilities provide that kind of programming--in other words, where both civilians and veterans can get the services provided?
4:10 p.m.
Defence Attaché, Embassy of France
Are you referring to civilian Defence staff?
4:10 p.m.
Conservative
Greg Kerr Conservative West Nova, NS
Yes, it's on the second page we have here: “Training is also provided to disabled persons who are not veterans.” I assume that means to the civilian population, the non-military population?
Perhaps I'll just ask it in a general way, if I could. Are there programs provided both to your civilian population and to your veteran military population at the same time?
4:15 p.m.
Defence Attaché, Embassy of France
I did not have this document, so I am unable to... I did not work on this document, so I do not know exactly...
4:15 p.m.
Defence Attaché, Embassy of France
... which mechanism you were referring to. I apologize for that.
4:15 p.m.
Conservative
Greg Kerr Conservative West Nova, NS
Let's leave it as a general question, if we can. Are there programs through which you provide services both to military veterans and to non-military people? Are there examples of that taking place?
4:15 p.m.
Defence Attaché, Embassy of France
No. I cannot provide you with any examples.
4:15 p.m.
Conservative
Greg Kerr Conservative West Nova, NS
Okay, I'll get off that line of questioning. I'll have to check into that later, then, if you don't mind.
4:15 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
We're just about out of time. It might be fairer to Colonel Verney to say that the member was quoting from a briefing document we have, which says the ONAC is responsible for a network of nine professional retraining schools throughout France that help disabled veterans obtain training in various trades so they can make a successful transition from military service to civilian life. Then it goes on to say that non-service people are also incorporated in that.
Are you familiar with that, Colonel?
4:15 p.m.
Defence Attaché, Embassy of France
Mr. Chairman, I did understand the question. The Office National des Anciens Combattants et Victimes de Guerre does provide assistance to military personnel. Does it also provide assistance to civilians? I am no expert in this area and I am sorry about that. My apologies.
4:15 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
Mr. Clarke, you can take the rest of the time. You have another five minutes.
4:15 p.m.
Conservative
Rob Clarke Conservative Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you for coming today.
I have a question. I was with the RCMP or Gendarmerie royale du Canada for 18 years. In Canada if you serve in the RCMP abroad or in our country--it doesn't really matter where--you're deemed to be a veteran. If members of your national police force serve at home or abroad, are they entitled to the same benefits as the veterans who serve overseas?
4:15 p.m.
Defence Attaché, Embassy of France
Are you talking about the police force or the military?
4:15 p.m.
Conservative
Rob Clarke Conservative Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK
I'm referring to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
4:15 p.m.
Defence Attaché, Embassy of France
Quite. Police officers have the same status as members of the military, so they come under exactly the same system as the military. Even if, as of January 1, 2009, namely one and a half months ago, they are no longer under the purview of the Department of National Defence. They now come under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior, the Ministère de la sécurité intérieure et des libertés civiles, but do keep their military status. If a police officer were sent to an operating theatre, he would meet the criteria for a veteran and he would, as such, be entitled to the benefits and rights given to veterans.