Veterans Affairs Committee on Nov. 22nd, 2007

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Clearly, from listening, everyone is on board about wanting to have a clearer understanding, quite honestly, from those who are defending our country in many ways and who have been inflicted, or may be inflicted or have the potential to be inflicted, with some physical or mental issue. There's no doubt about that.

My resolution will stand as it is, though. I believe that we need to....

When I listened to Mr. Simms in particular.... And I respect those numbers, because it's very true. It has happened in World War I and World War II. I don't know the numbers now. But I think that lays out the significance of being able to visit in Canada. Also, it doesn't preclude going to Afghanistan at some time. I'm just saying--

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Anders]

Mr. Shipley.

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

I'm sorry--at some time. Buy right now this is about visiting our bases, through Veterans Affairs, within Canada. We can talk later about whether it will be different cities. I used our bases because that's where people get deployed from and where they come back to. It's a great place to start and understand, not only our bases but to meet our people—

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Anders]

Well, we try.

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

I would hope people will support that.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Anders]

I recognized Mr. Shipley as the last speaker, to be the hammer on his motion. I have others who wish to speak. I'd like maybe a straw poll of the committee here.

Do you wish to continue to carry on conversation on this measure?

[Roger Valley, Liberal, Kenora, ON]

He was answering the question, Mr. Chairman; he was not the last speaker.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Anders]

Well, all right, since we do have time, go ahead.

Mr. Cannan is next, then Mr. St. Denis, and then Mr. Valley.

And please, don't make any more references to locations.

Thank you very much, Mr. Cannan.

[Ron Cannan, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

I support the motion.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Anders]

Mr. St. Denis.

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

Just very quickly, it's our intention to support the motion. I just want it on the record that any travel outside the country, as previously decided, is not to be compromised by this.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Anders]

I would take it that way. I don't see one precluding the other.

Mr. Valley.

[Roger Valley, Liberal, Kenora, ON]

Just in slightly different words, we support the motion with the caveat that the committee has been given direction twice. The staff has been given direction and we want it carried out. We'll support this motion because I think it's important, as I've said many times in this committee, to talk to people in uniform, not just the people out of uniform.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Anders]

Understood.

At 1 p.m. I go to the liaison committee to present the committee's case on the previous decision.

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor, NL]

[Inaudible--Editor]

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Anders]

I'll do what I can. It worked last time.

Without seeing any other speakers, we'll go to the motion.

I'm going to read it again. It's Mr. Shipley's motion:

That the Committee on Veterans Affairs work with Veterans Affairs Canada to arrange a study tour of Canadian bases and their operations as part of our discussion on Health Care and the Veterans Independence Program.

(Motion agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Anders]

I'll carry the case on the previous motion to the liaison committee.

Thank you very much.

The meeting is adjourned.