Evidence of meeting #7 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 buried.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Judy Sgro Liberal York West, ON
Yes, exactly, if the object of the study is to compare what we're doing in Canada versus some of these other countries. Otherwise we're going to forget some of the things that we've heard today.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
It's going to be the research staff's job to bring that into a report. But I understand, as far as the ability to question....
Mr. Kerr.
Conservative
Greg Kerr Conservative West Nova, NS
Yes, I totally agree. I think it would be very helpful. I would also like to ask if we could get the briefing notes at least 24 hours in advance, if possible.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
Okay, when did you receive the briefing notes? Did you receive them today?
Conservative
Greg Kerr Conservative West Nova, NS
Yes, but it makes it a little hard, if we're involved in something else, to actually spend some time on this.
Conservative
Michel Rossignol Committee Researcher
It depends on when the meeting is confirmed. Sometimes the subject of the meeting and the witnesses are not confirmed until a day or two before the actual meeting, and it takes time to write the briefing notes and time to have them translated. Then production takes time. I will try to get them out as quickly as possible. I always try to to do that, but sometimes it's not possible.
Conservative
Greg Kerr Conservative West Nova, NS
I understand that there may be challenges. I just feel that we collectively, in all parties, need to be adequately prepared to ask appropriate questions. We get pretty top quality witnesses, and it's a good idea to make sure we ask all the appropriate questions we should. So I would encourage that wherever possible, please.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
Okay, Mr. Kerr.
Is there any other conversation on this?
Yes, Mr. Andrews.
Liberal
Scott Andrews Liberal Avalon, NL
On a separate issue, we're scheduled to go to Ste. Anne's on April 1, correct?
Liberal
Scott Andrews Liberal Avalon, NL
I wonder if you could give some consideration to changing that date. Both Mr. Stoffer and I will be in P.E.I. with the fisheries committee that week and we'd miss the opportunity to take that in. I don't know if you could take that under advisement to see if you could accommodate Mr. Stoffer and me.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
I'll take that under advisement, but trying to debate that right now would probably be redundant, considering that many of the people here are like me, in that their staff actually control their schedules. So why don't we allow the clerk to communicate with all the members' offices and see if there might be an alternative date that would work better. It's always the case with these things that it's tough to get 100% participation, but I will do what I can because it's my job to serve the committee.
Mr. Kerr.
Conservative
Greg Kerr Conservative West Nova, NS
I was also asked to fill in for someone on that committee and go on that particular trip because the biggest lobster area happens to be down our way.
But what I was going to ask is, how many arrangements have been made with the hospital? If they're really locked in, it's very difficult to change.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
Yes, and that's exactly what I was saying. But I will take it under advisement, as Madam Sgro so wisely says, and we'll do our best. If we can't, then we'll try to bring back a good report to you.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
On the other aspect, we do have the next few meetings locked in, so that will give the research staff a little bit more time.
However, I would ask that you be patient just a bit, because Madam Sgro has asked, and we all agreed, to make sure that we add a different dimension to this study and have this research parallel with our services—which I don't think you had in mind at the time you were writing your briefing notes. So we'll do our best to have that a minimum of 24 hours beforehand.
If there's no further business, the meeting is adjourned.