Veterans Affairs Committee on Nov. 27th, 2006

Evidence of meeting #18 for Veterans Affairs in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was going.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Veterans Ombudsman

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Tom Hoppe National President, Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association

Larry Gollner Special Assignments, Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association

Michel Rossignol Committee Researcher

Clerk of the Committee Mr. Alexandre Roger

4:55 p.m.

Voices

Oh, oh!

4:55 p.m.

Liberal

Roger Valley Liberal Kenora, ON

I want to point out that if we follow that scenario we're talking two months from now before we sit here and talk about it. I don't know if there's any way around it.

As to more witnesses, we can get it in writing from local witnesses, but I don't know that we need to hear any more. The only one you mentioned is Australia. He's confirmed?

4:55 p.m.

The Clerk of the Committee Mr. Alexandre Roger

Yes.

4:55 p.m.

Liberal

Roger Valley Liberal Kenora, ON

Okay, so obviously we have to deal with that issue. We have to listen to that individual.

Are any others confirmed?

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rob Anders

No, I don't think so.

4:55 p.m.

Liberal

Roger Valley Liberal Kenora, ON

So let's deal with the—

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rob Anders

The clerk will have to double-check, because he thinks the local ones are not confirmed, but—

4:55 p.m.

Liberal

Roger Valley Liberal Kenora, ON

Okay.

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rob Anders

I've got notes, obviously, other than the ones here.

4:55 p.m.

The Clerk

Yes, yes.

4:55 p.m.

Liberal

Roger Valley Liberal Kenora, ON

Let's deal with Australia. Let's listen to that, but I don't know how we can avoid, with the timeline coming up, that we don't get to discuss this till the end of January. It's a two-month delay. It's not a delay, it's scheduling, but I don't know what else we can do.

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rob Anders

Mr. Sweet.

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

David Sweet Conservative Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale, ON

Before I say I'm in favour of this, Mr. Winzenberg is confirmed for when?

4:55 p.m.

The Clerk

The next meeting was Wednesday, and that was cancelled, so I invited him for the next week.

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

David Sweet Conservative Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale, ON

That's been cancelled. Okay.

So these local.... Could you give us an idea of who these people are locally?

4:55 p.m.

The Clerk

They're not any groups. They're more individuals now.

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

David Sweet Conservative Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale, ON

Okay.

4:55 p.m.

The Clerk

A letter was sent to the chair's office.

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

David Sweet Conservative Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale, ON

Okay, so I see no problem with supporting this. We can be finished by the end of next week. There's absolutely no problem.

4:55 p.m.

The Clerk

For the Dutch ombudsman, I've sent out the invitation, but they never got back to me, so I don't know. They could say they could be available in February, or they could say next week. I really don't know.

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

David Sweet Conservative Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale, ON

But the ombudsman from the Netherlands, is that specifically for veterans?

4:55 p.m.

The Clerk

Yes.

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

David Sweet Conservative Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale, ON

It would be beneficial if we could capture him before the Christmas break. I agree with after, but I'm certain—

4:55 p.m.