Veterans Affairs Committee on June 3rd, 2009

[The Chair, Conservative, David Sweet]

Merci beaucoup, monsieur Roy.

Now on to to Mr. Lobb, for two minutes.

[Ben Lobb, Conservative, Huron—Bruce, ON]

Are you going to continue on, Tilly? Did you want to continue with your questions?

[The Chair, Conservative, David Sweet]

Then Madam O'Neill-Gordon, for two minutes.

[Tilly O'Neill-Gordon, Conservative, Miramichi, NB]

What I was saying was that I know you are doing a great job and I thank you for all you've done. It was very obvious, while we were in Charlottetown, the great job that everybody is doing.

I did have another question, but I don't know where I put it now. No, I think that's it.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Sweet]

Okay.

[Roger Gaudet, Bloc, Montcalm, QC]

I have a very brief question, Mr. Chair.

[Peter Julian, NDP, Burnaby—New Westminster, BC]

Petite question?

[Some voices]

Oh!

[Roger Gaudet, Bloc, Montcalm, QC]

Yes, it is really very brief.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Sweet]

Order, order.

We have enough time for one question from Mr. Julian, a brief question, and one question from Mr. Gaudet. Brief, please.

[Peter Julian, NDP, Burnaby—New Westminster, BC]

Merci beaucoup.

To follow up, to finalize on the internal services, it's a half-million-dollar absolute reduction over three years; in real terms, greater than that. Can you explain that?

[Ron Herbert]

Yes.

One thing I want to stress to you, which I didn't make note of earlier, is that the number is not indexed as you see it here, but salaries are about 70% to 75% of our operating cost of the department. If there are increases in salaries, the department automatically receives those numbers. So that portion of our operating costs are indexed to inflation, although it doesn't reflect that here. It's at time-of-negotiation settlement.

In terms of the reduction that's here, small reductions based on probably...to be honest with you, I can't answer the question. It's very small. It's $82.5 million to $82.1 million, so we're talking about $400,000, roughly.

If you'd like, I can respond to that in writing.

[Peter Julian, NDP, Burnaby—New Westminster, BC]

Great.

[Ron Herbert]

Yes, if you want. No problem.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Sweet]

Thank you, Mr. Herbert.

Une petite question, monsieur.

[Roger Gaudet, Bloc, Montcalm, QC]

Are the ceremonies of November 11 well attended in the other provinces? There are ceremonies in Quebec, but I would like to know what the situation is in the other provinces. I do not mean places near a military base. Instead, I am referring to places that are 100 or 200 kilometres away from a base. Do people in such places attend the ceremonies?

[Ron Herbert]

I wouldn't mind responding to that. The one I'm familiar with is the one in Charlottetown--huge numbers, huge numbers of people, and getting bigger and bigger every year. And they are in other cities as well.

[Roger Gaudet, Bloc, Montcalm, QC]

I see. Charlottetown might not be the most representative place. I would rather hear about Ontario or Manitoba, for instance.

[Keith Hillier]

I think that the situation is the same everywhere in Canada. There is more interest in the ceremonies now than there was in previous years.

[Roger Gaudet, Bloc, Montcalm, QC]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Sweet]

Mr. Hillier, Mr. Herbert, Mr. Mogan, thank you very much.

Mr. Hillier, it has been quite a week for travel for you, out east and then coming back again, so we really appreciate your sharing your jet lag with us, and your words.

This meeting is adjourned.