Evidence of meeting #40 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 battlesmart.
A recording is available from Parliament.
The Clerk of the Committee Mrs. Julie-Anne Macdonald
I currently don't have anything beyond Wednesday. I was waiting to find out what direction the committee would like me to take.
Conservative
Greg Kerr Conservative West Nova, NS
It was suggested we'd be looking at a draft, and if we're through with witnesses, I agree that it's something we should get on fairly quickly. I really think we want to make sure we allow the time both for the bill, which is a real priority, and then for the supplementaries after that, because there's a bit more time there.
I think we all agree we want to get the bill back into the House as soon as we can, so I'd like to see us start on that as soon as we can, meaning as soon as it's finished the House, obviously.
Conservative
Conservative
Ben Lobb Conservative Huron—Bruce, ON
Thanks, Mr. Chair.
I have a question to the clerk. We were able to hear from a person from Australia today. I think it's important that we have the ability to hear from somebody from the U.S. or from the U.K. My thoughts are that they've also been in Iraq for quite a while, so it might be interesting to hear how they're dealing with the issues and what they've done, because they've been somewhat in parallel both with Afghanistan and Iraq. I think it's important to at least have their opinions, whether it's a written submission or teleconference or video conference or whatever.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gary Schellenberger
Before I go to Mr. Vincent, I am told that we have someone from the U.S. booked possibly for the 28th, so we would at least have some input to answer your question.
Go ahead, Mr. Vincent.
Bloc
Robert Vincent Bloc Shefford, QC
Mr. Kerr was saying earlier that Bill C-55 should be adopted as soon as possible. I still have questions for the Minister of Veterans Affairs regarding compensation.
In a report I read, the figures involved in the three cases mentioned were 4%, 40% and 100%. The report also said that it is more lucrative to be subject to the old charter than to the new one. I want to sort this out. Most of our witnesses have said that they had suffered injuries and that less than 40% of them received compensation for those injuries. If that is the case, the new Veterans Charter is currently not in the best interest of the injured. I am wondering whether a pension plan could be more beneficial for them.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gary Schellenberger
We'll go to Ms. Sgro.
In answer to Mr. Vincent, Bill C-55 will be coming in here. That's what you're talking about, so it will be discussed.
Go ahead, Ms. Sgro.
Liberal
Judy Sgro Liberal York West, ON
I take it that all the witnesses the different members have put forward have been contacted, except for the two from the U.S.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gary Schellenberger
Yes, everyone's been contacted, but not everyone's available.
Liberal
Judy Sgro Liberal York West, ON
All right.
To the researcher, do you feel that you have sufficient information to date? Do you need additional witnesses to be able to define the report in the way we discussed?
Committee Researcher
In the briefing notes for this meeting, I identified three areas where the main issues have been addressed. I think the report will be organized around these three major issues.
There is a lack of information about veterans in general, but there's nothing we can do about it. It would have been useful to have people from veterans affairs departments in other countries, rather than from defence. At defence they have more information. They're well organized, and they take care of their people in a closer way. I have some information here and there from veterans affairs departments in other countries, but we didn't hear anybody from there. Maybe from the U.S....
Committee Researcher
I suggest it might be useful to have someone from the Department of Veterans Affairs in the U.S. They have a lot of information. There was a submission sent to the committee from a lady about veterans affairs, and I think that could be quite useful, too.
Liberal
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gary Schellenberger
Our clerk has advised me that we're still trying to contact them at veterans affairs in the States.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gary Schellenberger
Yes, she's still working on that, and I hope we can make it happen.
Go ahead, Mr. Kerr.
Conservative
Greg Kerr Conservative West Nova, NS
As Mr. Lobb pointed out, it would be useful to make contact with the British authorities as well. They have done a lot. If they can't appear by video or in a one-on-one contact of some sort, perhaps they could send us some written material. I think his point is well taken. The British have been involved in a lot of these issues as well.
Ben and I just want to know that this has been acknowledged.
Liberal
Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB
Mr. Chair, the last time around we had a discussion about the former Veterans Affairs ombudsman. Can the clerk provide an update? What actually took place there? My understanding was that the committee was going to try to get him to come before the committee.
Conservative
Liberal