Evidence of meeting #30 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 care.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Wilf Edmond  Dominion President, Royal Canadian Legion
Pierre Allard  Service Bureau Director, Dominion Command, Royal Canadian Legion

10:40 a.m.

Bloc

France Bonsant Bloc Compton—Stanstead, QC

Yesterday I was watching a special program on Radio-Canada. A young mother had lost her son after he had come back from Afghanistan. She talked about his mental disorders and she criticized the government for not helping him, because he committed suicide. That is happening so often these days. We see these young people go to fight for freedom and then they come back. Yes, they are free, they let them do whatever they want.

10:40 a.m.

Service Bureau Director, Dominion Command, Royal Canadian Legion

Pierre Allard

That is why, as you said, prioritizing is not a good thing. There are shortcomings and we need to solve them.

10:40 a.m.

Bloc

France Bonsant Bloc Compton—Stanstead, QC

A person is not a puzzle.

Thank you.

10:40 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative David Sweet

Your time is up.

There are three more spots: two Conservative and one Liberal.

I've already warned you that we have some business at the end, so the briefer you make it, the more likely we are to get to the business.

We'll go to Mr. Kerr.

10:40 a.m.

Liberal

Judy Sgro Liberal York West, ON

We have to deal with the motion.

10:40 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative David Sweet

We don't have time.

10:40 a.m.

Conservative

Greg Kerr Conservative West Nova, NS

We're prepared to cut back on the time, even if others didn't. I want to make that point.

I assume that you will do the same thing.

I was going to make some comment, but Mr. Stoffer was gracious enough to point out that his comments were political, so that saves me from coming back at him too hard. As a government, we have to actually implement these things. We don't stand on the sidelines and comment.

I do want to make the point, though, that the reason we are all extremely indebted to you--and also pleased that you're here--is that I think all members want to get this process under way as quickly as possible. We've been pushing it. In spite of all the discussion about what might come up, we finally agreed. Let's get on and get the review.

There are a number of other witnesses coming forward. Certainly it'll be a fulsome conversation and you've even suggested an additional one today. I expect that when it's over, though, we'll still be stuck with prioritization. You know that. Hopefully, we will get guidance before we get there. I'd hate to see the good ideas come in and get bogged down because they have to go through a huge long-term process.

That's the only reason, Pierre, as you know, that I was raising it. At the end of the day, somebody has to implement this stuff and I want to make sure that we don't lose that opportunity. That's why I raised it.

October 29th, 2009 / 10:40 a.m.

Service Bureau Director, Dominion Command, Royal Canadian Legion

Pierre Allard

And I hope we continue to consult.

10:40 a.m.

Conservative

Greg Kerr Conservative West Nova, NS

We will.

Thank you very much for being here today.

10:40 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative David Sweet

Thank you, Mr. Kerr and Mr. Allard.

Now we go to the Liberal Party, for as many minutes as you want to use up.

10:40 a.m.

Liberal

Judy Sgro Liberal York West, ON

As much as this is important, we also have two pieces of business to discuss, and it's 10.45 a.m., so I will pass. If someone else has a pressing question that must get answered, then they should go forward.

10:40 a.m.

Conservative

Greg Kerr Conservative West Nova, NS

We're fine on this.

10:40 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative David Sweet

That will conclude our meeting today.

Thank you, Mr. Allard and Mr. Edmond.

I think you've heard it expressed by most of the members here, but allow me to thank you for the good work that the Royal Canadian Legion does for our men and women who have served.

We will now adjourn and continue in camera.

[Proceedings continue in camera]