Veterans Affairs Committee on Sept. 26th, 2017

[Bob Bratina, Liberal, Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, ON]

I see.

One of the issues, of course, that many armies faced was sexual harassment, and that led, in cases that we've heard about in our committee, to stresses related to that among female veterans. Is there a program or well-defined policy with regard to that in the French military?

[Frédéric Charlet]

This is something that the Ministère des Armées also considered. A few years ago, it created the Thémis unit, the role of which is specifically to consider questions like that. Anyone can contact the unit's telephone service to report cases of harassment or other actions like that.

Again, these cases are not solely attributed to operations. It's regimental life. It is possible, in the course of operations, that the circumstances may make the risk a little higher. Regardless, we created this unit a few years ago to consider that issue.

[Bob Bratina, Liberal, Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, ON]

Yes.

Earlier I asked a question about homeless veterans, and I'm not sure I understood one point.

In Canada we're experiencing veterans who have decided to opt out of society and live in missions or live on the street and not be identified as veterans, to not seek help. We often find those individuals with veterans who will go to areas where these individuals congregate as homeless people, at a mission or someplace like that. They find them and bring them back into the system so they can get benefits and so on.

Do I understand from your comments that this is not a very large problem with regard to French veterans? It is a problem we are dealing with, but it doesn't sound as though it's at a similar level in your experience.

[Alexandre Coyo]

We have heard about veterans in the United States and Canada who are homeless and destitute. France is very little affected by this phenomenon, or has seen little of it. Still, we have never had such cases publicized. It can certainly happen, but the number of these cases is low.

[Bob Bratina, Liberal, Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, ON]

That's really interesting. It's probably something we should investigate further, the relationship of the French military veteran to his former duties as an active serviceperson, and compare it with the American and Canadian experience, because it is a big problem for us.

I asked as well about esprit de corps in comrades. We found that many felt disconnected, especially the younger veterans. They could not go, for instance, to our Legions because they felt they were for the older veterans from days gone by, who didn't relate to the younger veteran, so they became disengaged from their former comrades, from the military, and so on.

Would that be the same in the French experience, or is it different?

[Frédéric Charlet]

A few years ago, we could actually consider that the old veterans associations, that is to say, former soldiers, that were well-established, did not take young veterans sufficiently into account. I think things are changing. At the same time, although they are not very powerful, there are other associations of former soldiers of external operations that have been created. They do not, however, have the clout of the old associations.

These two worlds communicate more today. A young person who goes to an old association today is well-received, definitely better than there may have been a few years ago.

[Alexandre Coyo]

If I may, I would add that, with respect to this last combat generation, we have the responsibility of communicating in the way they communicate, in other words using social networks and doing better online. We are very interested in what Canada is doing on the Veterans Affairs Canada, or VAC, file. This seems to be a digital formula that might interest our current combat generations.

[Bob Bratina, Liberal, Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, ON]

Thank you very much.

[The Chair, Liberal, Neil Ellis]

Thank you.

This ends our round of questioning.

On behalf of the committee today, I'd like to thank both of you for taking time out of your schedule to work us towards best practice with regard to our veterans and the men and women who have served. If you have anything to follow up, such as paperwork, send it to our clerk, and he will get it through to the committee.

Thank you very much and have a great day.

I will suspend for about 30 seconds here to leave the video conference feed, and then we'll come back with some committee business. After that, we'll be out of here.

[The Chair, Liberal, Neil Ellis]

I guess we haven't lost anybody, so we'll come back and get started.

I'm going to welcome Phil.

You're officially here as a critic. Congratulations on your new role.

I'm going to turn it over to our clerk to make it official.

[The Clerk of the Committee, Mr. Jean-Denis Kusion]

Pursuant to Standing Order 106(2), the first vice-chair must be a member of the official opposition. I am now prepared to receive motions for the first vice-chair.

It has been moved by Cathay Wagantall that Phil McColeman be elected as first vice-chair of the committee. Are there any further motions?

Is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt the motion?

(Motion agreed to)

[The Clerk]

I declare the motion carried and Phil McColeman duly elected first vice-chair of the committee.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

[The Chair, Liberal, Neil Ellis]

Thank you.

On the House working side, we need to fix the subcommittee. I need a motion of sorts, and I will turn to Colin Fraser.

You have one, I believe, to replace Ms. Lockhart?

[Colin Fraser, Liberal, West Nova, NS]

Yes, I move that Emmanuella replace Alaina on the subcommittee.

[The Chair, Liberal, Neil Ellis]

Okay, do I see agreement on that?

(Motion agreed to)

With that, I need a motion to adjourn.

Thank you, Mr. Bratina.

All in favour?

(Motion agreed to)

Thank you, everybody.

The meeting is adjourned.