Veterans Affairs Committee on April 23rd, 2015

[Guy Parent]

Well, again, it's supposed to be an integrated transition program or system, but it isn't quite integrated yet. Because there are two independent ministers who are actually involved there, with no single authority or accountability, the decisions take a long time to come.

[Diane Ablonczy, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

I know both ministers and they're pretty sensible people.

Maybe, Mr. Chair, the parliamentary secretary could knock heads together and say, “Here's a form. Get it out there.”

But maybe that's too simple.

[Guy Parent]

If I may, though, we only started this work recently. As I mentioned, we submitted two preliminary finding letters to our respective ministers. There seems to be a real will to make it veteran-centric and as simple as we can. It's just a matter of getting it together now.

I'm sure our report will probably facilitate a lot of these things.

[Diane Ablonczy, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Yes. I would think you're right, and certainly hope so.

With respect to the two departments involved, we've all been around long enough to know that there's some turf protection, some “this is the way we've always done this.” The cultures are kind of hidebound, shall we say. In your view, what is the tipping point that would lead to true integration of the provision of services for veterans?

[Guy Parent]

I think it's the single accountability, the single responsibility, as I said before. Right now the decisions on certain transition situations actually go up two different silos. Then the decision-making authorities are on both sides at the top.

[Diane Ablonczy, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

But what's a solution?

[Guy Parent]

Well, to have one single entity that is fully integrated with accountability, recognized—

[Diane Ablonczy, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

So if you had your druthers, would it be in DND or in Veterans Affairs?

[Guy Parent]

Either one, as long as it's recognized by both ministers—

[Diane Ablonczy, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

You don't care.

[Guy Parent]

—having delegated authority.

[Diane Ablonczy, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Right.

You also mentioned that you thought there should be a case worker or—

[The Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

Mrs. Ablonczy, you were drafted for three minutes. Your draft is over.

I want to thank you so much.

[Diane Ablonczy, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

I wanted to fill those three minutes, and I did.

[The Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

I want to thank you very much for the pertinence of the questions you've asked.

I especially want to thank Mr. Parent for the pertinence of the replies that he gave throughout his testimony today.

The committee has been anxious to hear from you, sir, and I know you've been anxious to present to us, and today was the perfect marriage.

Thank you very much.

We're going to take a couple of minutes before transition to all individually say our goodbyes. But let's make those two minutes just two minutes.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

We are now back on duty. The break is over.

I'd like to inform the committee that I received a letter from the chair of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, the member for Leeds—Grenville, Gordon Brown. The letter begins as follows:

Dear Mr. Galipeau, On behalf of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, I would like to invite the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs to consider the subject matter of clause 1 of Bill C-597, An Act to amend the Holidays Act (Remembrance Day).

Who wants to start?

Mr. Valeriote, you have the floor.

Do you all have the copies of this letter that I've just made reference to?

[Some hon. members]

Yes.

[The Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

Thank you.

[Frank Valeriote, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

Thank you, Chair.

I've been sitting at heritage committee during their deliberations, and it's.... Are we in camera?

[The Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

We're not in camera

[Frank Valeriote, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

Can I move that we go in camera?

[The Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

Do I do this by consensus or by voice?

[An hon. member]

By consensus, I think we all agree.

[Frank Valeriote, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

[Proceedings continue in camera]