National Defence Committee on Feb. 28th, 2008

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Casson]

That might not be his point.

[Claude Bachand, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

The motion mentions soldiers, but veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder too. Are they eligible to come to the committee?

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

Veterans Affairs.

[Claude Bachand, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

So it's soldiers only. Is that it?

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

Yes.

[Claude Bachand, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

That is not what they say.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Casson]

I think a soldier is a soldier.

The clerk will read the motion.

[The Clerk]

It reads as follows:

Que, lors de deux (2) séances à huis clos, le Comité entende les témoignages de soldats à titre individuel et des membres de leurs familles dans le cadre de son étude sur les Services de santé offerts au personnel des Forces canadiennes, en particulier dans le cas des troubles de stress post-traumatique; et que les membres du Comité présentent les noms d’au plus seize (16) soldats à titre individuel et des membres de leurs familles au greffier.

[Claude Bachand, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

I would like a motion of congratulations to the clerk, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Casson]

Mr. Coderre.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

I have a question on the motion. If I understand it correctly, the two people in the previous motion are part of this list. Is that correct?

[Claude Bachand, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

That's a problem. Who decides on the 16 persons? Are there four from each party?

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Casson]

We wanted to leave it without--

[Claude Bachand, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Without party selection—so do we provide names to the clerk? Okay.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

So the two individuals we vote for are from that list. Is that right?

Thank you.

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

And we'll collectively guarantee that they'll be on the list.

[Dawn Black, NDP, New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC]

That's what you voted for.

(Motion agreed to)

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

I'm not sure if it's a point of order or clarification, but I want to make it very clear on the record that we on this side voted against Ms. Black's motion with the understanding that those two people covered by her motion would be covered by the following motion we proposed, which was passed unanimously. It was not an effort to exclude those women from--

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

It was part of a two solitudes issue, but we settled it.

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Did you understand that, Dawn?

[Dawn Black, NDP, New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC]

No, I didn't understand it at all.

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Let me make it clear, because if it comes up in the House I will have something to say.

We voted against your motion with the understanding that by passing the second motion those two women would be included in that process. It was not in any way to exclude those two women from the process of coming before the committee. Is that clear?

[Dawn Black, NDP, New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC]

Are you trying to intimidate or threaten me? It sure as hell sounds like it.

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

No. I'm just asking you if that's clear.

[Dawn Black, NDP, New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC]

I already said that's my understanding, and now I have to account to you?