Veterans Affairs Committee on Nov. 30th, 2010

[An hon. member]

Read it out.

[Lise Zarac, Liberal, LaSalle—Émard, QC]

The motion is that Mr. Lacoste's testimony be sent immediately to Minister Blackburn and Minister MacKay for immediate action.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

Okay.

You've heard the motion.

[Brian Storseth, Conservative, Westlock—St. Paul, AB]

I guess my question, Mr. Chair, is what immediate action? I agree we need to send it, but what immediate action? I think you need to have a directive.

[Peter Stoffer, NDP, Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS]

[Inaudible--Editor]...change it to “response”, because they'll respond....

[Lise Zarac, Liberal, LaSalle—Émard, QC]

Okay. That's what was meant, yes.

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, York West, ON]

Perhaps we can just clarify that.

If “immediate response” means more of what Mr. Lacoste has already heard, which is more of, “Well, we have all of these charts and all of these things”, which is what we hear—and I'm speaking for us here, I think—what we'd like to see is some action taken.

I'm sure both of those ministers are good, competent ministers and will take immediate action. I don't want to see them just send a letter saying, “So sorry to hear you've had trouble. We are making changes, and in the future everything will be wonderful.”

I think if we send it asking for action, both ministers will do whatever they can to assist Mr. Lacoste with some of the issues.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

Mr. Stoffer, and then Mr. André.

[Peter Stoffer, NDP, Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS]

Very quickly, in fairness to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and the Minister of National Defence, they haven't heard this testimony. I think it's only fair that we send it to them and allow them to respond. If their response is inadequate to us, then by all means, we can do more. But in fairness to them, they need to be able to respond.

As well, Mr. Lacoste also needs to hear what they can or cannot do.

We have to at least allow them the chance to respond to it properly first. I think that's only fair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

Okay.

Mr. André.

[Guy André, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

First of all—and briefly because we need to continue hearing from the witness—of course, they must give us a response, but there must also be an evaluation report on the services that were not rendered to this person. There really must be a review of the entire process. We should also send soldier Couture's testimony from last week, which is quite similar. Soldier Couture experienced some of the same situations.

Therefore, I would add the following to Ms. Zarac's motion: that we also send that report to Minister Blackburn and—

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

All I can say right now is this: isn't that what this whole inquiry that we're doing is about, getting those answers on where things are? If we're going to do a report and ask for reports on every individual who's before us, we're going to have a lot of reports.

I would suggest that we entertain the motion that has been put before us and that we do send that request on to the ministers. But let's leave it until we do our report to do the.... We can make some individual requests at that particular time.

Mr. André, a little bit more, and then Mr. Kerr.

[Guy André, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

Ms. Zarac is moving a motion and I am seconding it. I simply would like to add soldier Couture's testimony.

Do you have a motion, Ms. Zarac?

[Lise Zarac, Liberal, LaSalle—Émard, QC]

Yes.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

Okay.

Mr. Kerr.

[Greg Kerr, Conservative, West Nova, NS]

Mr. Chair, I'm very much aware of where Mr. Stoffer is coming from. He's been around this process a long time.

There are a couple of things. First, the committee has no business getting information back. You're into the privacy side then, and that's not where we want to go. I understand that.

But the point is, I think, that it's appropriate for the committee to point out that members have heard some disturbing testimony today and want the minister to be aware of it, to consider it, and respond accordingly. That's about all we can do.

We're not in a position where we can order ministers to do anything.

[An hon. member]

That's right.

[Greg Kerr, Conservative, West Nova, NS]

We don't have the authority to do that.

I think even the fact that the motion is coming forward is pretty strong in itself. We can sit around and debate wording forever, or we can get on with this and get it done.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

Mr. Storseth.

[Brian Storseth, Conservative, Westlock—St. Paul, AB]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I agree with Mr. Kerr that this is something where.... I mean, Mr. Lacoste has specific individual needs that need to be looked after--I agree 100%--but we can't just request that the minister take action. That's very broad.

We need to get together as a committee at the end of this and make specific recommendations. Honestly, it's the committee's job; if we feel there's something that's not being done and we're not getting the truth from bureaucrats or the real side of it, then bring the bureaucrats back in here and grill them and make sure we get to the bottom of it.

That's how we benefit Mr. Lacoste and other veterans and members of the Canadian Forces the best.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

Okay.

Mrs. Zarac, first, and then Mr. André....

You have a point of order?

[Guy André, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

Mr. Chair, I would like to make a point of order. I would put this discussion off until our next meeting. We should immediately finish hearing from our witness. There are five minutes left. Do you agree with me?

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

Mrs. Zarac.

[Lise Zarac, Liberal, LaSalle—Émard, QC]

I think we would all agree to just send the testimony, but we would like to maybe give a delay of 30 days to get the answer.

I think that would satisfy everybody.

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, York West, ON]

Are we talking about a response?