Evidence of meeting #18 for Veterans Affairs in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was you're.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Greg Kerr
Thank you very much, Mr. Blais.
For our last questioner, we go back to Mr. Gill, please.
5:55 p.m.
Conservative
Parm Gill Conservative Brampton—Springdale, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair, for the opportunity again. I have a bunch of questions so if we could keep the answers short, I would really appreciate it.
Mr. Blais, you mentioned part of the funding your organization receives comes from the union. Are you able to tell us what percentage of your funding comes from the union?
5:55 p.m.
President and Founder, Canadian Veterans Advocacy
We've only received one cheque, $2,000, two years ago, and we don't raise a lot of money, so that year it was probably half. Really, you have to understand that we may appear to be well-financed or whatever but the reality of the situation is that, from day one, we've been pretty well sponsoring our advocacy on our own.
6 p.m.
Conservative
Parm Gill Conservative Brampton—Springdale, ON
I appreciate that.
Do you think to help the committee you would be able to provide for the committee a breakdown of your funding for the past two years and any activity you have engaged in with political parties in Canada?
6 p.m.
A voice
How is that relevant?
6 p.m.
President and Founder, Canadian Veterans Advocacy
I don't think that's any of your business.
6 p.m.
President and Founder, Canadian Veterans Advocacy
I have no problems with it and don't get me wrong. I just find it disingenuous that I'm being asked this at committee when we're supposed to be dealing with the new Veterans Charter and the positive aspects—
6 p.m.
Conservative
Parm Gill Conservative Brampton—Springdale, ON
It just helps us understand in terms of the organization—
6 p.m.
President and Founder, Canadian Veterans Advocacy
If you want to talk about it after committee, Mr. Gill, I'm all for that, but I think we should be focused on the new Veterans Charter now.
6 p.m.
Conservative
Parm Gill Conservative Brampton—Springdale, ON
Thank you, sir.
My next question is, do you believe your organization to be non-partisan?
6 p.m.
Conservative
Parm Gill Conservative Brampton—Springdale, ON
I understand to the best of my knowledge that one of the directors of your organization holds a Hill pass. I believe it's Mr. Kovacs.
6 p.m.
President and Founder, Canadian Veterans Advocacy
Yes, and I approved that. It made it easier for him to get in and out of the building, but that doesn't mean he's a Liberal and it doesn't mean that we have any political affiliations whatsoever. I don't have a pass and I've been offered passes, but that would be over the line.
6 p.m.
Director, Canadian Veterans Advocacy
In fact, if you'd like to know about my political background, sir, I can tell you that I joined the Progressive Conservative party in 1972. I worked for a number of Progressive Conservative MPs from 1979 to 1983—
6 p.m.
Director, Canadian Veterans Advocacy
—and I worked for a Reform Party of Canada member of Parliament in 1993.
6 p.m.
Conservative
Parm Gill Conservative Brampton—Springdale, ON
Sir, the reason I ask the question is that in order for one to obtain a Hill pass you either have to be a volunteer in a member's office or you have to work for a member.
6 p.m.
President and Founder, Canadian Veterans Advocacy
Let me answer it this way. I don't give a coot what his political affiliation is. I don't care what his political affiliations are and they shouldn't care what mine are either because we are apolitical, period, end of story.
6 p.m.
Conservative
Parm Gill Conservative Brampton—Springdale, ON
My question is, sir, if one has a Hill pass.... I'm just trying to understand what the background is. It's one of the directors of your organization. It's important for the committee to understand—
6 p.m.
Liberal
Frank Valeriote Liberal Guelph, ON
Mr. Chair, I have to raise a point of order. I just think these are so irrelevant, these questions. They're here to—
6 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Greg Kerr
Could I just suggest we move directly on to charter stuff? That would be helpful, if you could, please.
6 p.m.
Conservative
Parm Gill Conservative Brampton—Springdale, ON
Mr. Blais, in formulating the position you have taken here today at the committee and during your press conference, would you be able to tell us how many veterans you have consulted in formulating those positions?