Evidence of meeting #15 for Veterans Affairs in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:20 p.m.
Liberal
Sean Casey Liberal Charlottetown, PE
Mr. Chair, the motion proposes what is already being done. That was clear at the last meeting. You did a good job managing the situation.
I agree with the motion.
5:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bryan May
Thank you, Mr. Casey.
Is there any further discussion?
Seeing none, again, if I have unanimous consent, I can declare the motion carried.
(Motion agreed to)
Excellent.
Monsieur Desilets, now that the motion has carried, before you move on I would like to propose something to the committee. It's a technical issue regarding the headsets. I'll explain what happened in the last meeting.
You'll notice that the witness was not wearing a government-issued headset. The option is given to the witnesses to request a headset. What I would suggest, with the permission of this committee, is that it not be optional, that we send these headsets that have been proven to be what the interpreters need and the technicians feel is needed, that we make them mandatory for witnesses and send them out. Would we be in agreement that this is the case?
John.
5:25 p.m.
Conservative
John Brassard Conservative Barrie—Innisfil, ON
Mr. Chair, this is just another technical question: How quickly can we move the headsets if need be?
Oftentimes witnesses might be asked two days, for example, ahead to appear at committee. Are we able to, or can we feel confident that we can get those headsets out quickly?
5:25 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bryan May
Yes. It's two to three business days at the maximum. There are exceptions that we will have to deal with as one-offs. For example, the individual we had to deny speaking at the last meeting was actually in Florida. The deal that we have is with Purolator. I know we've been in discussions with the clerk to see how we would deal with somebody who is out of country.
What I'd like to suggest is that we move from making it optional to making it mandatory, and I've gotten direction from the clerk that it shouldn't be a problem.
Monsieur Desilets.
5:25 p.m.
Bloc
Luc Desilets Bloc Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
I agree with the proposal.
A two-day time frame is usually reasonable. They are very quick in Parliament. I think it is our responsibility to provide our witnesses with proper equipment.
5:25 p.m.
NDP
Rachel Blaney NDP North Island—Powell River, BC
Chair, I agree with that, but the one caveat I would like to have acknowledged is that if it doesn't get there on time, and we've done everything we can and they have a headset that works, I think that should be okay. I just want to clarify that.
Of course, if it doesn't work, I agree, and the chair has been very good at saying, “Sorry, it doesn't work” and protecting the interpreters. However, I'm a northern girl, and sometimes things don't get where they're supposed to when you live in the far north of our country.
5:25 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bryan May
I hear you. I'm not moving any kind of motion here. I'm not making any kind of proclamation that somebody's not going to be allowed.
What I'm suggesting is that we change the practice of making it an option to send these out. Right now, it's dependent on the witness to request it. What I'm suggesting is that we just send it and say, “This is the device you need to use in order to be heard.” I think that will speed things up a lot.
Sure, if there is a circumstance where it doesn't get there or it's not compatible with whatever the person is using and they have a suitable device that works, of course we'll let them move forward.
Okay? Excellent. Thank you.
As I said, I'm not moving a motion or anything like that. I just wanted that to be something that we can agree on and give direction on to the technical folks and the clerk.
Monsieur Desilets, you have one more motion.
5:25 p.m.
Bloc
5:25 p.m.
NDP
Rachel Blaney NDP North Island—Powell River, BC
Chair, I have a motion that was given on notice on March 8 and I would like to read it into the record so that we can get that piece of business done.
5:25 p.m.
NDP
Rachel Blaney NDP North Island—Powell River, BC
My motion is this:
That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study on the experience of women veterans, with regard to: (a) physical health, mental health, and safety concerns; (b) supports for their transition to civilian life; (c) sexual trauma during service; (d) housing and homelessness; (e) Veterans Affairs Canada programs and supports for women veterans; that no fewer than 4 meetings be devoted to this study; that the study consist of witness testimony from individual women veterans, stakeholder groups and departmental officials; and that the committee report its findings to the House with recommendations on how the government can improve its programs and supports for women veterans.
5:25 p.m.
Liberal
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
John Brassard Conservative Barrie—Innisfil, ON
Through you, Chair, to Rachel, we know that National Defence is dealing with a very high-profile situation right now. How do you see that as being different from what you're proposing here? I'm asking more out of curiosity than anything.
March 10th, 2021 / 5:30 p.m.
NDP
Rachel Blaney NDP North Island—Powell River, BC
I think it's very different. This is specifically focusing on the transition for female veterans. We've heard a lot about the physical health of female veterans and the fact that the system is still largely based on veterans being men and not women. There are a lot of processes that are not in place and a lack of acknowledgement of their health concerns and how women experience those differently.
We've heard from multiple women that there are some concerns around what happens around sexual trauma. We also talked not too long ago about housing and a safe housing environment. As well, when we look at housing and homelessness, we're hearing more and more that women veterans, 10 years after leaving, are actually experiencing homelessness at a rate that is higher than expected.
I think it's really important for us to acknowledge that we want to see more women in the military. Part of that means that when they become veterans, they get treated appropriately. There are still a lot of gaps in their service.
It's distinctly different. This is not going to be focusing at all on what's happening on the military side but on what's happening to women after they leave service.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
John Brassard Conservative Barrie—Innisfil, ON
This is just a follow-up to say that we'll be supporting the motion, Mr. Chair. I agree with Rachel. All of us do.
Cathay has been really engaged on this issue, as you know, Rachel, so we'll be honoured and pleased to support this motion.
Thank you.
5:30 p.m.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
Thank you.
As with the initial question from John, I was wondering if DND was going to...if the study would start there. There are many pieces, as Rachel indicated, that would be very valuable for us to be involved in.
I'm just wondering, based on our plan for the year and the decisions of the subcommittee in the past, how this would fit in.
Thanks.
5:30 p.m.
NDP
Rachel Blaney NDP North Island—Powell River, BC
I think it's important we're coming close to the end of some of our studies. I hope that the subcommittee will meet and go through these. Right now I see this as a motion being accepted, hopefully, and then let the subcommittee meet and look at what our priorities are.
I think this is a high priority, so of course I'll be advocating for that. But it is really up to the subcommittee to put together the calendar and then bring it to the larger committee to make a final decision.
5:30 p.m.
Bloc
Luc Desilets Bloc Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
Mr. Chair, I am very favourable to this proposal.
I would just like to remind everyone that this will give us ammunition going forward. This is not word play. It will give us a solid base to be able to implement our motions in the future.
I would like to remind you that, about two months ago, a series of motions were moved, and some motions were related. They focused on studies such as the one Ms. Blaney would like to carry out.