Veterans Affairs Committee on Dec. 11th, 2006

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

Correct me if I'm wrong, but was there not supposed to be a review of the charter after six months?

[Brian Ferguson]

We are constantly meeting with them to bring them up to date on how well the charter is doing, but not under the official umbrella of that body.

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

So it's fair to say, then, DVA consistently consults with army, navy, air force, the UN peacekeepers, the Legion, ANAVETS, Cliff Chadderton's group, etc.

[Brian Ferguson]

To let them know how well we're doing in the implementation of the charter, yes.

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

Thank you very much, and Merry Christmas.

[Brian Ferguson]

Thanks, same to you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Anders]

We're back to the Conservative side for questions.

No more? Fair enough.

We have about seven minutes left, and we have another issue of business that I'd like to cover before we wrap up.

With regard to the Wednesday committee meeting, Monsieur Gaudet of the Bloc has indicated to me that he does not want to have a committee meeting that day. My understanding—all based on rumour, because I don't have anything formally—is that the House will probably be rising that Wednesday. Now, this is just a rumour....

I'm so sorry; I haven't excused you yet, as guests. You're welcome to go if you so wish. Thank you very much, gentlemen.

I had kept them here with bated breath.

At any rate, the thinking is that the House is likely to rise after question period on Wednesday. That said, our committee meeting takes place from 3:30 to 5:30. I don't know for sure that the House is going is rise, but that is what I have heard. That's rumour.

Monsieur Gaudet has indicated that he doesn't want the meeting, and I'll open that up for discussion.

Mr. Stoffer.

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

I would agree; if you want to CX the meeting, that's great.

I'm just wondering, Michel, over the holidays will there be any kind of draft opportunity for the ombudsman one? Or is it too premature to ask that?

[Michel Rossignol, Committee Researcher]

The intention is to have a draft before Parliament returns at the end of January. I will be working on a draft, and I hope to be able to send it to members of the committee a few days at least before Parliament returns.

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

Fair enough. Thank you.

My other point is that I agree with cancelling Wednesday, but perhaps the clerk would be kind enough to send an invitation to Mr. Dallaire--not now, of course, but in the new year. As a military person, as a veteran who has received some of these benefits, and as someone who helped with Bill C-45, it would be interesting to get his take, his position, on an ombudsman and a bill of rights and so on. It would be very interesting.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Anders]

Mr. Stoffer, I have no problem with Mr. Dallaire testifying here, or what not.

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

Excellent.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Anders]

I think he has tremendous background and knowledge on these things, certainly with PTSDs; he personally kind of lived that file.

The clerk has reminded me that on the issue of ombudsman, we do have a formal motion by our colleagues from the Bloc not to invite anybody else. So he would have to be--

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

Okay, the bill of rights, say.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Anders]

That's right. He would have to be addressing us on another issue.

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

Okay.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Anders]

Understood.

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

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Anders]

I think the issue today was just that we didn't have unanimous consent and it was kind of a last-minute surprise.

I'm getting the sense from at least two committee members that we scratch our Wednesday meeting, pending the House rising.

[Roger Valley, Liberal, Kenora, ON]

We didn't realize you took your orders from the Bloc, but we agree with it.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Anders]

Well, I'm looking for a head nod from our Liberal members—I've got one now—and I can't imagine there's much opposition from the government side.

So there we go. We won't be holding a meeting on Wednesday.

Merry Christmas, and to all a good year.

This meeting is adjourned.