National Defence Committee on Nov. 15th, 2016

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

Are you sure?

[The Chair, Liberal, Stephen Fuhr]

I believe I did. I'll check the blues.

Mr. Gerretsten is saying I did.

[Sherry Romanado, Liberal, Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne, QC]

That's why I spoke, and that's why my mike was on.

[The Chair, Liberal, Stephen Fuhr]

Okay, let's move on.

[Sherry Romanado, Liberal, Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne, QC]

Mr. Chairman, I'd like to put forward:

That, in relation to the study of Canada and the Defence of North America, the Committee travel to Washington DC, United States of America, in the winter-spring of 2017; that the Committee be accompanied by the necessary staff; and that the proposed budget in the amount of $65,293.13, for the Committee's travel, be adopted.

[The Chair, Liberal, Stephen Fuhr]

Is there debate or discussion?

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

I move that the meeting be adjourned.

(Motion negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])

[The Chair, Liberal, Stephen Fuhr]

Okay, we will continue discussion on the travel request put forward by Ms. Romanado.

Ms. Gallant.

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

The level is $65,000. Is there any way, without eliminating participation of any MPs, to reduce that amount?

[The Chair, Liberal, Stephen Fuhr]

I don't think so. The clerk could give us further details on it. We worked on this together. The money is always an issue, but I don't think that is possible, no.

Mr. Bezan.

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

I want to consider the same thing, just on costs. I want to make sure that if we do this, we do it after the new Congress is brought into place and that we take the time to not just meet with our Congressional leaders but also to spend quite a bit of time over in the Pentagon. In the past, when this committee has travelled down there, those have been the most valuable meetings we've had.

I would ask that we try to find a way to save some money, but I see that even though we're down to seven members on this budget, it would be valuable if every member could be there. When we went to NORAD in Colorado Springs, all of us were able to attend, and if we want to do our jobs effectively as committee members, we need to be in attendance. I'm wondering if there's a way we can balance this off. We have actually more staff travelling than we have members.

[The Chair, Liberal, Stephen Fuhr]

This has been a long-standing discussion at SBLI, and I will do what I can. I understand the importance, so I will do what I can to make sure we all get an opportunity to go, but I can't answer that right now.

Mr. Gerretsen, then Mr. Paul-Hus.

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

I agree with Mr. Bezan that the timing for when we go is important. We have to wait until things are in place and we can properly establish those relationships. I didn't know if he was going to put forward an amendment to the motion to that effect. I was willing to support that if it was the case, but I didn't hear that. I agree with him on—

[The Chair, Liberal, Stephen Fuhr]

Let's not over-complicate it. I think we agree that the timing is important, as is the full membership, but there's enough room to manoeuvre and I think we can handle that after. Given the time that's available, we can all discuss the finite details. I have to get this approved through SBLI very soon.

Mr. Paul-Hus.

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Right now, I have some discomfort about the fact that there is room for seven members of Parliament and for seven analysts and interpreters. So there are three MPs who will not be able to take part in the event while seven public servants will be present. If I don't go as a francophone MP, there will be no need for interpreters. So I'm in a delicate position since, if I say that I don't need interpreters, my anglophone colleagues will not understand if I speak French.

On that note, I would not want to be in the position of not going just because then there won't be a need for interpreters and vice versa. I just wanted to make sure that everyone will be there.

I can manage in the other official language. I can understand English, but sometimes I'm not as fluent when I speak it. I'm not sure how Mr. Rioux feels about that, but I don't want us to miss out on opportunities or to feel clearly like a minority.

[The Chair, Liberal, Stephen Fuhr]

The timing is important. The membership of the committee is important. I have an undertaking to make sure we do the best we can to get all of us down there. I don't know if I can do it, but I'm going to try to do it, and there's no scenario where there's no.... There will be a level of translation for French speakers on this trip. Those are the rules, and it will happen, regardless.

[Randall Garrison, NDP, Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke, BC]

It's not for French speakers; it's for all members of the committee.

[The Chair, Liberal, Stephen Fuhr]

It's for those people wishing to use the second official language.

[Randall Garrison, NDP, Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke, BC]

No. Sorry, with respect, Mr. Chair, that's not what it is.

Translation and interpretation services are available to all members of the committee. People can present to us in French if they like, and then we can make use of the services.

I really do resent what's happening in this committee in terms of our bilingualism culture. This is not about extra service for francophones. It's about the bilingual nature of the country and the ability of people to participate in the language of their choice, whether as members or as witnesses.

[The Chair, Liberal, Stephen Fuhr]

That's fair enough.

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

Chair, can you release the witness, if you would, please?

[The Chair, Liberal, Stephen Fuhr]

Yes, I can. I don't know. Maybe he's enjoying it, though.

General Vance, thank you very much for coming. You did have one undertaking for us, before I let you go, for the mefloquine. If you could please report back to the committee with regard to mefloquine, we would very much appreciate it.

Thank you for your service. Thank you for your time.

[Gen Jonathan Vance]

Thank you.

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

On tasking, I think we wanted to get the ratio, as well, of doctors to....

[The Chair, Liberal, Stephen Fuhr]

Yes, and if you could provide specifically the ratio of Canadian doctors to Canadian troops in theatre at this point, that would be helpful.

Thank you very much.