Evidence of meeting #48 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 legion.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Bloc
Gilles-A. Perron Bloc Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
Yes. I really like talking with my friend Raymond.
I want to come back to the issue of civilians. This subject intrigues me. Bill C-287, tabled by my friend Brent, will lead to some concerns. I agree to recognize the contribution of diplomats and civilians taking part in peacekeeping missions, but this will raise questions.
For example, if you and I take part in the same mission and we both get injured, since you are a member of the forces, you would be taken care of by Veterans Affairs Canada, but I would not. I think that, within the framework of a recognized mission—and I'd like your confirmation on this—civilians should obtain the same health care services and other benefits as veterans or military personnel. Should that be the case?
National Vice-President, Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association
Do you really think I'm going to stick my neck out there?
National Vice-President, Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association
Based on how you presented it, of course. That ignores all of the existing circumstances and facts and regulations that govern those civilians, and so on, so I'm not touching that part of it at all. But common sense seems to indicate that it would be appropriate.
Bloc
Gilles-A. Perron Bloc Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
In other words, should an individual officially taking part in a peacekeeping mission lose a hand, for example, he should obtain the same compensation, no matter what colour uniform he is raring. That is my opinion. I think that we are more or less on the same wave length in this regard, and I appreciate it.
National Vice-President, Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association
Actually, I won't add anything more to my comments. As I said, I don't want to stick my neck fully into that particular hole.
Bloc
Gilles-A. Perron Bloc Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
We will talk about it during a salmon fishing trip.
I want to come back to the 57 associations. When the Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association has a meeting, can it use the Canadian Legion halls? Are your two organizations so separate from each other that you have to hold your meetings in a basement or a hotel? I am talking about your association and the 57 other affiliated associations.
National Vice-President, Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association
Speaking on behalf of my own organization, yes, there's widespread use of Legion infrastructure across the country. We do that in Miramichi. I know they do it in Victoria and in other places. It's normal, because there is such a good relationship between the organizations. In fact, most of our members are also Legion members.
Just to expand on that a little bit, because of the aging population within the Legion, at least among the war service veterans, many of them now are not able to participate in activities like parades and so on, and if they do, they're sitting down. So we are taking a larger and larger role in marching down the street on Canada Day, for instance, wearing blue berets. We also participate in Legion activities such as poppy sales. In Miramichi, for instance, more peacekeepers are selling poppies than actual Legion members.
That was just a little aside to indicate how well the organizations meld together.
Bloc
Gilles-A. Perron Bloc Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
I am not asking you to tell me what is wrong with such and such an organization, but I'd like to know whether, in general, the 55 other associations show the same kind of cooperation.
National Vice-President, Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association
We have a close relationship in terms of communication and consultation with the other peacekeeping organization, CAVUNP, the Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping--a very close association with them. In fact, I think there are places where we share chapters in the same communities. But as far as the other organizations go, yes, there's a friendly relationship but there isn't the ongoing continuous communication. That's the relationship.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Anders
Thank you, Monsieur Perron.
Now to our Liberal colleagues. No, okay.
I sense then, Mr. Kokkonen, that you have reached the end of this gruelling questioning.
Thank you very much for taking the time to appear.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Anders
I think committee members enjoyed it, and I think we learned a great deal. Never worry about showing up here not knowing exactly how things will tumble and unfold. There are lots of questions around this table and we have much to learn. We haven't been in the situations you have, so we learn a great deal from our witnesses.
Thank you very much for your presence here today.
Conservative
David Sweet Conservative Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale, ON
We certainly hope that Mr. Kokkonen is going to get the opportunity to catch a lot of salmon.
National Vice-President, Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association
Mr. Chair, could I comment on that particular issue?
National Vice-President, Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association
I want to share some of the blame for the short notice. In fact, this committee, through its clerk, gave sufficient notice for this to happen, but it was an internal CPVA communication problem that caused me to get cut short. I wanted to mention that because we had discussed that previously with the clerk of the committee.
Conservative
Betty Hinton Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
I come from B.C. If you're a salmon fisherman, if your love is salmon fishing, I invite you to come to my particular province at any time; it's pretty nice.
National Vice-President, Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association
That's God's country out there, I know that.
Conservative
David Sweet Conservative Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale, ON
All penance is quickly given for salmon.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Anders
Fair enough.
I noticed a couple of committee members were about to sprint off. We do have some other committee business to deal with, so I'd ask that they stay.
National Vice-President, Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association
If I may, Mr. Chair, with your permission, I thank the committee, its members and you, Mr. Chair. You took a very intimidated person this morning and you turned him into a talking machine here. I appreciate that very much.
Our organization appreciates very much and recognizes the good work you are doing. I think you are so key in everything to do with veterans. You are going in the right direction, and you are examining everything, all the information that's available out there, and as far as we can determine, so far, you have made very wise and astute decisions. We thank you for that.