Veterans Affairs Committee on Feb. 18th, 2020

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

I think the objective is to share the motions we have, and then as a subcommittee determine which ones are first, second and third. I don't think we need to go through them, but the points are well taken. I think they're very important, but I think a good thing to accomplish in our first meeting would be to rack up the motions, the themes that are extremely important to this committee, and then we'll move to a second phase, which is determining which ones should go first, second and third.

With that, I'd ask the chair to call the vote on this motion.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

Thank you.

Mr. Lloyd.

[Dane Lloyd, Conservative, Sturgeon River—Parkland, AB]

We just received this motion, and I think we need 48 hours. We can put on all these motions. I don't think it necessarily requires a vote at this time.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

Just for clarification, the 48-hour notice is if we're not in committee business. We've moved into that.

To Mr. Samson's point, are you looking to vote on this now, or are you looking to withdraw the motion?

Mr. Lloyd.

[Dane Lloyd, Conservative, Sturgeon River—Parkland, AB]

I think when you put something on notice, it doesn't require a vote right away, in order to be spoken on. It just requires being put on notice. I think we should all be putting our motions on notice today, as Mr. Samson said, and then at a later time, at subcommittee, we can vote on whether or not we want to move forward with the individual motions.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

I'm okay with that. That's the objective I had as well.

With that, I'd like to move to my second motion, and we'll continue to flow right across and get the job done so we have themes on the table.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

Are we good with that? Okay.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

With that, Mr. Chair, the second motion I bring to the table is this:

That the committee conduct a study consisting of at least six meetings on federal supports and services to Canadian veterans’ caregivers and families; and that the committee table a report with recommendations on how the federal government could improve those services and supports to better meet the unique needs of veterans’ caregivers and families.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

Thank you.

For the record, are you putting this motion on notice? You're not moving the motion.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

That's correct.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

Okay. Is there any discussion?

Seeing none, are there any further motions?

Mr. Fillmore.

[Andy Fillmore, Liberal, Halifax, NS]

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and congratulations on your election.

I'd like to put a notice of motion:

That the committee conduct a study on women, LGBTQ2+ and racialized veterans, including the challenges and barriers faced by minority Canadian veterans, specific supports and services offered to minority veterans, specific needs of minority veterans, and how Veterans Affairs Canada can improve and target services to minority veterans to better suit their needs.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

Is there any discussion?

Marie-France.

[Marie-France Lalonde, Liberal, Orléans, ON]

I'd like to suggest a topic of study.

What do you call it?

[Andy Fillmore, Liberal, Halifax, NS]

It's a notice of motion.

[Marie-France Lalonde, Liberal, Orléans, ON]

Here it is.

That the committee conduct a review of the Education Training Benefit and that the committee table a report with findings and recommendations on how the government could continue to improve the life of veterans.

That is for the committee's consideration.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

We don't have a copy. Would you be able to repeat that one more time, please?

[Marie-France Lalonde, Liberal, Orléans, ON]

Very well. I'll read it more slowly.

That the committee conduct a review of the Education Training Benefit and that the committee table a report with findings and recommendations on how the government could continue to improve the life of veterans.

I apologize for not bringing a copy for all of you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

Thank you.

Is there any discussion?

Are there any further motions for discussion?

MP Ruff.

[Alex Ruff, Conservative, Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON]

I would like to put a notice of motion:

That the committee, as its priority, immediately conduct a study into the backlog of pending veteran disability benefit applications at Veterans Affairs Canada.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

Is there any discussion?

Are there any further motions or notices of motions at this time?

MP Lloyd.

[Dane Lloyd, Conservative, Sturgeon River—Parkland, AB]

Relating to the service dogs:

That the committee study:

a) The efficacy and use of psychiatric service dogs by Canadian Armed Forces veterans to alleviate the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD);

b) Why despite presiding over the collapse of a process to establish a national standard for the training of PTSD Psychiatric Service Dogs and subsequently promising a streamlined process for Veterans Affairs Canada to introduce its own standard the government has yet to establish any standard; and

c) What should constitute minimum national standards for the training of PTSD Psychiatric Service Dogs.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

Thank you.

Is there any discussion?

We have MP Blaney, and then we'll go over to MP Ruff.

[Alex Ruff, Conservative, Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON]

I was going to have some discussion on that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

Yes. She's ahead of you.