Veterans Affairs Committee on May 9th, 2013

[Thomas Murphy]

Compensation and benefit levels change based on service-connected and non-service-connected, but there is what we call a DIC, and there's also a widow's pension. If a veteran who served in the military in World War II dies—not service-connected in any way, shape, or form—and the widow is left by herself, because of his service in the United States Army, she has the ability to come in and receive a widow's pension from us. It's not tied to any particular thing, but it is income-sensitive.

[Eve Adams, Conservative, Mississauga—Brampton South, ON]

If I can put one final question to you—it will probably be a very lengthy response, so please feel free to provide us with some documentation afterward. Could you give us a comprehensive overview of the types of services and benefits available to your most seriously injured or ill veterans, the full suite that you offer, so that we might have a proper and fulsome comparison as we look at the United States and other nations?

I know that's asking a lot, but it would be very helpful.

[Robert Reynolds]

Ms. Adams, I will get a report or something sent up to you all, because just thinking of all the aid attendants, the health care...even in that range, we'll give you what the SMC would be for that, which is the monetary amount.

We'll put something together for you and send it off.

[Eve Adams, Conservative, Mississauga—Brampton South, ON]

Thank you very much, Mr. Reynolds. Thank you very much, Mr. Murphy.

[The Chair, Conservative, Greg Kerr]

On behalf of the committee, I want to thank you very much for doing this today. It's very helpful to our study, and we know there are some very good close relations with you folks and our folks. It's a learning process for us all. We appreciate that.

I also want to say that I appreciate your not mentioning that the Boston Bruins beat the Toronto Maple Leafs last night. We're still suffering up here—some of us are, anyway.

[Robert Reynolds]

My Caps lost last night too.

[The Chair, Conservative, Greg Kerr]

There you go. It's a shared pain.

On behalf of all of us, thank you very much for taking the time. You have agreed to send along some additional information. Our clerk will be in touch to make sure we do that.

Again, we appreciate it very much.

Thank you.

[Robert Reynolds]

Thank you.

[Thomas Murphy]

Thank you.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

[The Chair, Conservative, Greg Kerr]

We're just going to take a minute while we wrap up, and then we're going to deal with the private member's bill.

First, I want to remind all committee members that we've been talking about lining up the Australian witnesses. They have agreed to appear on a Monday evening as opposed to a Wednesday evening. The caution we have is that Wednesday evenings are probably going to be rather busy with House business, whereas Monday is probably less likely to be tied up.

Since the witnesses have agreed, the recommendation is that we move it from June 5, which is a Wednesday, to June 3, and it will be approximately 6:30, if the committee is in agreement.

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Conservative, Greg Kerr]

We'll still provide some supper, if the committee so desires. Is that still the wish as well?

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

Lobster.

[The Chair, Conservative, Greg Kerr]

Yes, lobster, right. I think our friend from P.E.I. is going to provide those, isn't he, from his comments? Lawrence is trying to push lobsters.

No. Forget that. There won't be pretzels, either.

We're dealing with Blaine Calkins' private member's bill, as you know. It's Bill S-213, and of course when it's finished we will present it to the House.

I'm pleased that we're joined by David-Andrés, who is the legislative clerk. If there are any questions, I assure you they will go to him, because I'm not prepared to answer any detailed questions.

You know the routine. We're going to go through it in the routine way. If there is anything you want to raise or talk about, certainly it's totally in keeping.

Of course, the preamble will come at the end, and the title. Having the paper in front of us, I will proceed, if that's correct. We'll vote on each clause separately.

(Clauses 2 and 3 agreed to)

(Clause 1 agreed to)

Shall the preamble carry?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Conservative, Greg Kerr]

Shall the title carry?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Conservative, Greg Kerr]

Shall the bill carry?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Conservative, Greg Kerr]

Shall the bill be reported back to the House?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[Eve Adams, Conservative, Mississauga—Brampton South, ON]

Yes, as soon as possible, please.

[The Chair, Conservative, Greg Kerr]

Isn't it amazing how we get along so well sometimes? It just brings a tear to your eye.

[Voices]

Oh, oh!