Veterans Affairs Committee on May 26th, 2015

[Pierre Lemieux, Conservative, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Thank you very much, and thank you to our witnesses.

I have not heard a single MP around this table or a single MP in the House of Commons limit future initiatives. I have just not heard anyone give any indication whatsoever that once this legislation is passed, that's it.

I've heard the exact opposite. I've heard it's a living document, and that these are great first steps. Some political football is being played, and just to give you an example, the opposition is asking what has taken so long. We even heard that tonight. The government, through the minister, picks some key initiatives, six, seven, eight of them, announces them, puts them into legislation. Some of them have already been delivered, for example, the better access to the PIA, the respect for reserves. So the minister takes some key initiatives and moves forward faster.

Why aren't you doing more? What's taking so long?

I want to remind everybody on this committee that there's very real legislation sitting in front of committee right now that's going to be back in the House with very real benefits and initiatives for veterans, and there are veterans who will benefit from them. I think we have to keep that first and foremost in our minds, especially if we're trying to put the veteran at the centre of everything, because we can play a little game and say if only it were different, then I would vote for it.

Yes, but what about the veteran who is eligible for one of these new benefits? When this passes into law, are you saying tough luck for him because it wasn't quite the way you wanted it. That's part of the political consideration that has to be, I think, swept aside, so we focus on what is in front of committee and what is in front of Parliament. That leads me to my question.

Mr. Blais, I'll open with you. I'd like to know what your advice is to MPs on this committee about this legislation, these measures that I consider to be very real benefits for very real veterans: to vote for them, to support this, to pass this quickly?

[Michael Blais]

First of all, you're making it political in the sense that you have a majority. This is just a dog-and-pony show at the end of the day.

[Pierre Lemieux, Conservative, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Mr. Chair, if I may, there is nothing I said in my statement that was political. I'm talking about very real legislation that is in front of the House, and the legislation is actually in black and white, and it has to be voted on. So MPs are going to have to—

[Frank Valeriote, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

Mr. Chair, a point of order.

[Pierre Lemieux, Conservative, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

It's not a point of order, Frank. Don't waste our time like this.

[Frank Valeriote, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

It's not taking up your time.

[The Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

I wouldn't like to burn the clock this way.

[Frank Valeriote, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

I know.

[The Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

I'd like to bring the meeting back to order.

[Pierre Lemieux, Conservative, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

I'm just wondering if I can get a clarification on your answer. What would your recommendation be to the committee on how to deal with this legislation here and in the House?

[Michael Blais]

Absolutely. And I didn't mean to insult you by saying you were making it political. That was not my intent.

The reality is that the Conservative government has had a majority for the past four years—

[Pierre Lemieux, Conservative, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

I'm just wondering what your recommendation would be.

[Michael Blais]

That's my recommendation.

[Pierre Lemieux, Conservative, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Pardon me?

[Michael Blais]

Do it. Skip the crap. Let's do it. You say, well, they're doing this, they're doing that.

[Pierre Lemieux, Conservative, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

That's good.

Thank you.

I'd like to build in Mr. Derryk Fleming's response as well.

Are you still with us, Mr. Fleming?

[Derryk Fleming]

Yes, I am.

[Pierre Lemieux, Conservative, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Good. I appreciate your hanging in there. It's hard when you're not actually physically present in the room.

I would like to ask you the same question. When you look at the legislation that's in front of the committee and Parliament, what would your recommendation be with respect to how that legislation is handled when it comes time to vote?

[Derryk Fleming]

I believe you should pass the legislation. I say that in the understanding that it is a living document. As I said, it will close a seam.

I attended the veterans summit last month and heard General Natynczyk speak. They really understand what's going on.

There is more that has to be done—we get that—especially for the majority of veterans who are not seriously injured or are moderately injured. But it is good legislation. There is a good starting point.

I do believe you should pass it.

[Pierre Lemieux, Conservative, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Great. Thank you very much.

[The Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

I would like to thank all of our witnesses, and particularly Mr. Fleming for his patience in participating long distance like this.

The 52nd meeting of this standing committee will take place here in this room at 6:30 tomorrow evening.

This will be our third meeting on the study on division 17 of part 3 of Bill C-59.

This will in fact be the last meeting at which we will be hearing witnesses with regard to the study.

Tomorrow, we will hear testimonies from Aboriginal Veterans Autochtones and the Canadian Aboriginal Veterans and Serving Members Association.

We will also hear Jenny Migneault, who will join us in a personal capacity.

We are waiting for confirmation from Marie-Andrée Mallette, but it looks like she will be there, too.

Have a good evening, and see you tomorrow.

The meeting is adjourned.