Evidence of meeting #24 for Veterans Affairs in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was medals.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Acting Chair Conservative David Sweet
You don't have to endure me much after this week.
So if you're certain that you have the new package, colleagues, I will point out that G-4.1 is replacing G-3 and G-4.
Madam Zarac.
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
Lise Zarac Liberal LaSalle—Émard, QC
I am sorry, Mr. Sweet, I'm not used to this. We will be voting and there are other people in.... Is this normal procedure?
4:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Acting Chair Conservative David Sweet
For clause-by-clause, to keep the officials here in case we need questions and answers, absolutely, yes....
4:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Acting Chair Conservative David Sweet
Listen, I've said many times here and at any other committee I've chaired, I'm at the behest of the committee, so if it's with the consent of the committee to dismiss them, I will, but I think as we go there might be some questions regarding some of the minutiae of the amendments that we might need to inquire of them.
4:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Acting Chair Conservative David Sweet
So, colleagues, just to let you know, with the new package of amendments--so I can help you find out what the changes are--G-4.1 is replacing G-3 and G-4 in your old package, and G-5.1 is replacing G-5 from your old package.
4:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Acting Chair Conservative David Sweet
You all do have the new package. I was simply trying to assist you. I know you all do your homework and have probably memorized the whole bill and all those amendments. I just wanted to make sure that you knew the changes.
So we'll go clause by clause now. Pursuant to Standing Order 75(1), we'll postpone clause 1, which is the short title. I'm going to ask if you'll have clause 2 stand.
Because of the nature of the amendments here, I'm going to ask for your patience. The complexity of them means that we'll have to stand some items in the bill because the interpretation of the bill can't be changed unless other amendments that are proposed are accepted.
So could I have agreement to stand clause 2, then, and we'll return to it?
4:35 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
4:35 p.m.
Conservative
4:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gary Schellenberger
Okay. We'll move to clause 3 and we'll be dealing first with amendment G-5.1.
4:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Acting Chair Conservative David Sweet
Page 6.1 of the package is G-5.1.
I've been away too long; it used to be a lot easier than this.
Mr. Kerr, do you want to speak to this, your G-5.1 amendment?
4:35 p.m.
Conservative
4:35 p.m.
Conservative
Greg Kerr Conservative West Nova, NS
Yes. First of all, and this was raised today, this is trying to broaden the consideration of whether the spouse or others are involved as part of the consideration. That's the main gist. It was mentioned today by the witnesses that that should be included. I'm looking for a little guidance on subclause 3(1).
Again, the intent overall is recognizing--as we heard both today and also from the Legion--the separation in what the terms were. It's not in there, but as we go through this we recognize the difference between honour and a medal, etc., so this is dealing more with the spouses. But I just want to keep that as a background. Obviously, the medals were the most contentious part of it.
4:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Acting Chair Conservative David Sweet
Any questions on G-5.1? No.
Then I'll put the question.
(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
Okay. The second amendment for clause 3 is G-6, and that's on page 7. Again, Mr. Kerr, do you have any comment on your amendment G-6?
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
Greg Kerr Conservative West Nova, NS
Mr. Chair, some concern came up about inconsistency or tying in. This regulation is to make it clear under the provisions of the regulations and orders for the Canadian Forces that indeed it is consistent with any other legislation. It's a very small technical change, and it's the tone you heard today from witnesses who want to make sure that we are keeping in line with the intent of other legislation.
That's all that does.
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
The Acting Chair Conservative David Sweet
I'm just going to look to my colleagues. Are there any questions on amendment G-6?
(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
(Clause 3 as amended agreed to)
(On clause 4--Offence)
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
Greg Kerr Conservative West Nova, NS
That's not to be confused with G-20.
Mr. Chair, it was pointed out by witnesses, and it became very clear both to the sponsor of the bill and committee members, that putting a value of five times the fair market value was going to become very expensive and unwieldy. This clause basically changed it so that the maximum fine is no more than $5,000. It gets out of the five times the market value of the medal. It makes it a specific maximum, as opposed to the market value.
Witnesses raised concern over that particular clause today.
(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
(Clause 4 as amended agreed to)
(Clause 5 agreed to)
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
The Acting Chair Conservative David Sweet
Clause 6 is another item that I'm going to ask you to stand, because until the short title is adopted, this has to stand.
(Clause 7 agreed to)
(On clause 2--Definitions )
This is amendment G-4.1 and it's on page 4.1, as astonishing as that might sound.
Mr. Kerr, would you like to speak to this amendment?
