Veterans Affairs Committee on May 12th, 2015

[Erin O'Toole, Conservative, Durham, ON]

I have tremendous respect for the people that make up the Equitas Society and for Jim Scott, Major Mark Campbell, and Aaron Bedard. I've met and spoken with several of them. As I've said, I never like to see someone who is frustrated to the point of going to court. I feel that a lot of the reforms in Bill C-58 have been the result of me not just listening here, but listening to their concerns and their demands.

I sincerely hope they see Bill C-58 as progress and they see our purpose statement, and our fulfillment of the obligation that they've talked about, as a positive step.

[The Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

Mr. Opitz.

[Ted Opitz, Conservative, Etobicoke Centre, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The reserves have under you, Minister, gotten a lot because I think we've realized how much the reserves contribute to missions abroad, up to 25% and sometimes more. Key capabilities in reserves are, in fact, things like CIMIC, PSYOPS, and some of these other things. I'd like you to elaborate a little further on some of the benefits and awards that are now offered to reservists on a parity level with the regular force.

[Erin O'Toole, Conservative, Durham, ON]

Thank you.

As someone who has served with some fine reserve units yourself, Mr. Opitz, you know the critical importance from coast to coast. Naval, air, and army reserves have always been...we had a militia before we had a standing military. The respect for reserves, which was the day we described.... Minister Kenney and I both did events talking about the reserves, talking about fixing that gap, the earnings loss benefit for class A and class B, and injury and death benefits. We tried to talk on a larger scale to educate Canadians on just how critical they are for our domestic and international operations. We were fixing a narrow gap by calling the day “respect for reserves“. I met the father of a reservist in Vancouver a few days later, and he said, “Thank you for talking about respect for our reserves“. It was very well received and it's because I know the tremendous impact they make in our country.

[The Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

Minister, I want to thank you very much for your participation in today's meeting.

General, that was a tough question they asked you earlier.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

The session is just about over.

I would have liked to call a vote on the estimates, but because of the clock, we'll do it on Thursday.

The 49th meeting of the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs will be held on Thursday, May 14, in room 112-N, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

This will be a one-hour, in camera meeting to prepare for the end of the session.

Thank you for your cooperation.

I'll see you next Thursday.

The meeting is adjourned.