Veterans Affairs Committee on Nov. 30th, 2010

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

Yes.

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, York West, ON]

So it's asking for a response, not action?

[Greg Kerr, Conservative, West Nova, NS]

I'd say it's looking for an appropriate response. You can't put a time on it or tell them what you need.

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

You don't want it to be six months from now.

[Greg Kerr, Conservative, West Nova, NS]

No, no, understood, but in fairness, Mr. Stoffer said that. The committee can always decide, look, this is not fast enough and this is not good enough. Okay? But I think the appropriate thing is that the message goes to the ministers that this is serious and we want them to look at it and consider the appropriate actions. We don't want to get into telling them what to do.

I think we're almost out of time, so we'd better decide.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

Monsieur André.

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

Can we complete our three-minute period with the witness?

[Colin Mayes, Conservative, Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

We have a motion before us.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

Do we want to vote on the motion that's in front of us right now?

[Greg Kerr, Conservative, West Nova, NS]

Or do we want to finish the hearing?

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

Yes, I am in favour of that.

[Greg Kerr, Conservative, West Nova, NS]

Do we know what the motion is?

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

The motion is that Mr. Lacoste's testimony be sent to Minister Blackburn and Minister MacKay, asking them for a response.

All those in favour?

(Motion agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

Okay. That will go.

We have about three minutes now.

Mr. McColeman.

[Phil McColeman, Conservative, Brant, ON]

Thank you.

I'd like to thank you as well, Mr. Lacoste. Your testimony is very personal, very emotional, and obviously you can sense from both sides of this table that we would like to see if we could develop some immediate action.

I'd be very interested to know, in terms of background, after you suffered your injuries.... Were your injuries the result of you having to discontinue your service as a soldier? In other words, when you came back were your injuries career-ending in terms of your ability to be a soldier?

[Pascal Lacoste]

Yes, I had to leave for health reasons. If I had my way, I would still be wearing the uniform.

[Phil McColeman, Conservative, Brant, ON]

Okay.

I'm interested in going down the road that I think Mr. Stoffer was going down. It revolved around the things that you hoped to achieve, I suppose in the future, and you mentioned education.

Can you share with us what it is you're studying and what it is you hope for yourself in terms of your personal goals down the road?

[Pascal Lacoste]

I spent three years as a teacher in a police technology program. I specialize in emergency care. I am studying to further my emergency care knowledge. I am unable to teach full time because of my physical condition. However, it is very important for me to be an active citizen. I believe that life is a challenge, and I am giving it all I've got.

[Phil McColeman, Conservative, Brant, ON]

I think one of the things I picked up from the other questioning and the answers that you gave was that it's very important--absolutely critical, in fact, in my mind--that with regard to the individuals who perpetrated this horrific psychological feeling you've had coming back and feeling the way you do, we need specific names.

I know you offered one name, but obviously, from your story, you've gone through a whole series of events that have brought you a lot of stress, creating the situation you're in today. Is it possible, or are you prepared, to give us specific names of individuals within the system?

[Pascal Lacoste]

It is very simple. I am only one among many. I am single, without any kids, and both my mental and physical health are ruined. I was told that I do not have a very long life expectancy. I can no longer afford to please. I am here to bear witness. I am a man of integrity. Even if I were to give you names, that would not help all those who are experiencing the same problems. I simply have the courage to say what everyone else is thinking. I did not come here for Pascal Lacoste, but to advance the cause of Canadian veterans.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

Thank you.

I'm sorry, but we do have to bring this meeting to a close.

I thank you very much for your personal testimony here today and for all you've done for the country.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

The meeting is adjourned.