Evidence of meeting #17 for Veterans Affairs in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was home.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
Monsieur Gaudet, you'll need to make it quick. We're already out past our time.
5:30 p.m.
Bloc
Roger Gaudet Bloc Montcalm, QC
I have a question, Mr. Chair.
On May 24, I have been asked to act as honorary chair of a Uniatox walkathon for people suffering from drug addiction. The walk begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m., so I won't be able to make it to Ottawa in time to take the plane to Charlottetown.
I thought we were leaving Tuesday afternoon and coming back Wednesday evening. There are six Conservative members and six opposition members, so whether there are votes or not, that doesn't change anything. I don't understand why you decided to leave Sunday evening. Personally, my activities always wrap up on Sunday evening.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
Monsieur Gaudet, I assure you it wasn't my decision. We did it in open committee. But maybe it's worthwhile to ask how many people will be going to P.E.I. Is the meeting you're having, Monsieur Gaudet, on the actual Monday of the P.E.I. trip, or is it on the Sunday?
5:30 p.m.
Bloc
Roger Gaudet Bloc Montcalm, QC
Both.
I had switched my Monday schedule for Friday because I had an activity in my riding on Monday evening. But now you are telling me that the trip will be on May 24 and 25. I am all mixed up.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
Monsieur Gaudet, I think the only thing I can do on this, if the committee is willing to suspend the trip again, is suspend it. But I think, other than that, we'll have to—
5:30 p.m.
Bloc
Roger Gaudet Bloc Montcalm, QC
I am not asking that the trip be suspended, but next time, I will make sure not to miss any meetings. I do not understand why you decided to leave Sunday evening, it is beyond me. There are six on one side and six on the other. Everyone is going and there is no problem.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
I'm going to recognize the speakers in a moment.
Monsieur André, the key thing is right now you're trying to give regrets with respect. We want to treat you with respect too and say we understand that.
Now we'll go to Madam Sgro.
5:30 p.m.
Liberal
Judy Sgro Liberal York West, ON
If we know we're supposed to be in Charlottetown for nine o'clock on Monday morning.... I'm using my own points and am just flying directly to Charlottetown for Monday morning at nine o'clock. I'm not going to be going down with a group, because I have a conflict. Maybe Monsieur Gaudet could do the same thing.
I'm going to fly back with the charter flight, but we can get there on our own time, at least on Sunday. It was the committee that decided that Wednesdays were too difficult and that Monday was a far better day for us to try to make this very important trip.
5:35 p.m.
Conservative
Greg Kerr Conservative West Nova, NS
I just want to confirm that it was this committee that changed the time twice to accommodate the committee members, and therefore we agreed to go down on Sunday and have our meetings on Monday. I would really not want to see us do anything to upset the staff. And I don't mean that upsetting is the most important thing, but they have accommodated us twice already on changes, and this committee has said let's go down Sunday and have the meeting on Monday. I really think we've just got to go ahead and do this.
5:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
Okay.
It was Mr. André. This will have to be the last interjection, and then we're going to--
5:35 p.m.
Bloc
Guy André Bloc Berthier—Maskinongé, QC
Is the charter leaving from Ottawa?
Is the flight leaving from Ottawa and returning to Ottawa. That is a problem.