Veterans Affairs Committee on Oct. 16th, 2006

[Peter Stoffer, NDP, Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Anders]

Gentlemen, thank you very much. It's been good to have you back.

Yes, they deserve a good clap.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Anders]

Of course, we deeply appreciate the work that you do. It's a good and noble cause and it's a great organization, and I think probably all of us are members of the Legion—or should be—in our respective areas and whatnot.

So thank you very much, gentlemen, for your presentation today. We'll probably let you go about your business in terms of clearing up or whatever, and then we'll move on to some committee business...unless it's really quick, Monsieur Perron.

[Gilles-A. Perron, Bloc, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

Mr. Chairman, I believe we're scheduled to hear from Mr. André Marin next Wednesday. Not realizing that committees sit on Wednesday, the Minister of Veterans Affairs has invited us to attend a very interesting event.

I'm speaking to Alexandre now. If it's not too impolite of us, could we possibly postpone Mr. Marin's appearance until a later date so that committee members would be free to attend this event. I'm putting this out there for discussion.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Anders]

First, I'll just describe this scenario. Yes, there is an unveiling of a poster this Wednesday by the minister at 2 Rideau, which is a conference centre facility. It's at about the time of our regular committee meeting. We've received invitations to go to that. In order for us to go to that presentation, it will require unanimous consent from the committee. We would, of course, have Mr. Marin in, but we'd have to rebook him for a subsequent week.

[Brent St. Denis, Liberal, Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, ON]

I have a constituent who is being honoured at this event, but I think it's finished by four o'clock. It may only be a matter of asking Mr. Marin to start at four. An hour and a half is probably enough.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Anders]

Mrs. Hinton.

[Betty Hinton, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

On that very subject, I want to explain to you that the minister was sincere in his invitation. He wanted all members to be able to be present. We believe it's important and again very non-partisan and that we should all be there for the unveiling of this. But we never know what time it's going to end, and from my point of view anyway, I would be terribly embarrassed if we invited Mr. Marin and then we couldn't get back here on time.

It's up to the rest of the committee on which way you want to go, but I would like to make certain that we have an ample opportunity to hear what he has to say. I think what he has to say is very important.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Anders]

Mr. Stoffer.

[Peter Stoffer, NDP, Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS]

I would agree with Madam Hinton that because Mr. Marin was a very effective military ombudsman and now is doing a great job in Ontario, his words of wisdom would be very helpful for this committee. We've been to the unveilings before and they tend to run on a bit. If the committee agrees that we should have Mr. Morin at a different date, that way there's no pressure to rush. We could talk to veterans and people and actually have quite a nice unveiling.

I would agree that Mr. Morin would be asked to come at a different time, if possible, to meet his schedule.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Anders]

I think we would try to get him within two weeks, certainly, of that date.

I don't know if we need a motion to that effect or just a common understanding.

Monsieur Perron.

[Gilles-A. Perron, Bloc, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

I don't have a problem with that.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Anders]

All right.

I think we have agreement around the table. What we'll do then is we will go to the unveiling of the poster on Wednesday and rebook Mr. Morin for within two weeks.

[Bev Shipley, Conservative, Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, ON]

We could all go as a group.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Anders]

Sure, if you want, we can meet beforehand.

[Bev Shipley, Conservative, Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, ON]

No, I didn't know if we could walk over.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Anders]

It's very close. I think rather than trying to herd cats, we'll just let the cats all show up here at that time.

The meeting is adjourned.