Veterans Affairs Committee on Feb. 28th, 2011

[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.

[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.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

Mr. Lobb is next, and then Mr. Vincent.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

Yes, everyone's been contacted, but not everyone's available.

[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?

[Jean-Rodrigue Paré]

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....

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, York West, ON]

Is that from defence or from veterans affairs?

[Jean-Rodrigue Paré]

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.

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, York West, ON]

Okay, so maybe we need to hear those two additional witnesses.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

Our clerk has advised me that we're still trying to contact them at veterans affairs in the States.

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, York West, ON]

You mean in the veterans section.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

Yes, she's still working on that, and I hope we can make it happen.

Go ahead, Mr. Kerr.

[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.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

The analyst will help.

[Greg Kerr, Conservative, West Nova, NS]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

Go ahead, Mr. Lamoureux.

[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.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

He was invited and he declined, my clerk told me.

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, York West, ON]

A lot of people decline. I guess they don't like us very much.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

It could be the weather.