Evidence of meeting #3 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 clients.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
That's where the main offices of Veterans Affairs Canada are located, so we'd see the entire operation.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
Ben Lobb Conservative Huron—Bruce, ON
Besides the obvious about going there and seeing the facility, which I'm sure would be great and nice, is there a particular purpose for us to go there? Is there a particular group we want to talk to, or is it just for show?
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
Mr. Lobb, I'll leave that to other members to discuss with you, because I believe we moved and accepted at the last meeting that we would go there.
Mr. Stoffer.
5:30 p.m.
NDP
Peter Stoffer NDP Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS
Part of the discussion we've had is that that's the main office, the only one outside of Ottawa.
Second, the bottleneck we have in terms of claims, and you'll have this as well when you come across it, is the Veterans Review and Appeal Board, and how that whole process works. When you're there, it's much easier to understand how that entire process works--travel claims, etc.--especially for the newer members. You get to follow an agent, and that agent will say, you call in and here it is, and this is how the whole process works, or at least is supposed to work.
It enables us, once we have a first-hand view...and also it gives DVA the opportunity to meet the committee, people who normally don't get to come here. We meet deputy ministers, ministers, and parliamentary secretaries, but we don't get to meet the front-line people half the time. Trust me, it's a great...I wouldn't say honour for them to meet us, but they really appreciate the fact that we would take the time to see them hands-on, because the deputy minister is right, they do a fabulous job within the realms of the legislation. It's good to go and meet them and discuss their issues and ask them point-blank what we can do to help them make their job even better. They'll tell us. It's quite good.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
Greg Kerr Conservative West Nova, NS
I know it's going to be astounding that Peter and I are going to agree at least twice in the same day, but the thing that struck me when my briefing started was that because it is the only department outside of Ottawa, it's really nice for them to see the MPs and to get questions they normally wouldn't get. It's Ottawa coming to them, which I think is a very nice thing to do. It's as much for their benefit as it is for ours, really.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
Ben Lobb Conservative Huron—Bruce, ON
With that being said, I think that's a perfectly good reason to go and see the facility and understand the process flow there, so it sounds good to me.
5:30 p.m.
Bloc
Guy André Bloc Berthier—Maskinongé, QC
You did not understand? I apologize.
With respect to the two meetings, I would like to know if the clerk will provide us with a draft schedule for our meetings with those people. Will we be provided with a schedule for our approval?
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
If you're speaking about the studies, yes. There will be an opportunity for the parties to submit suggested witnesses as well, for the G-8 study particularly.
5:30 p.m.
Bloc
Guy André Bloc Berthier—Maskinongé, QC
I was talking about the meeting at Ste. Anne's Hospital. Will there be a draft schedule and will we be given the names of those whom we will be meeting with? For example, will we be seeing some of the patients, the health care workers, management?
Who will we be meeting with in Charlottetown? What about the schedule? Will these be submitted to the committee for our approval?
5:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
Oui monsieur, and we'll try to make sure this is done in enough time that if there's some concern we can get some adjustments.
5:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
Is there any other business that needs to be handled here today?
Okay. Just one more thing before I adjourn. Because Madam Sgro made it public, the sympathies of the committee to you for your loss in your family.
We'll call this meeting adjourned.