Veterans Affairs Committee on Nov. 25th, 2020

[Mike Gimblett]

As I said, we explored all options. The CEBA program was not available to us. Other grants and programs, most of them are for new programs. There is nothing for operating expenses. When you do take a grant for a new program, you have to make a commitment to keep it going for two, three, four or five years. If you don't have the—

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

Thank you. Sorry, the time is up.

Now for five minutes, MP Fillmore, please.

[Andy Fillmore, Liberal, Halifax, NS]

Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thanks very much to all the witnesses for sharing their time and experiences with us today.

If I could, I want to say a special thank you to Master Corporal Gaboriault for being here today. Although, Max, my thank you to you feels small to me, but please know that it is profoundly sincere. Thanks for being with us today.

Ms. Brimson, I was very happy to hear you mention the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association. My father flew Harvards at 15 Wing in Moose Jaw back in the fifties.

[Linda Brimson]

Oh, good.

[Andy Fillmore, Liberal, Halifax, NS]

There are a few photographs around the house, and lots of stories. So thank you for bringing that back to mind. I do appreciate it.

I have the great honour of representing Halifax in the House of Commons. As we have a significant presence of all three branches here, it wouldn't come as a surprise to any of you that the serving population and the veteran community form an everyday component of our experience here in the city. It's just part of who we are here. I am deeply plugged into the challenges that are being faced. Aside from having three Legions in this district, there are two service organizations. Unit 373 is in Halifax, and we have our Royal Canadian Naval Association, Peregrine, here as well. As you can see, we live this every day here.

One of the things that I have come to learn from all five of these organization—the three Legions and the two service organizations that I visit regularly—is that the financial challenges didn't just crop up because of COVID. Sure, we could talk about how quickly COVID-related funds were released, but this is really a longer-term decline. The ability of organizations to draw in new members, to build membership and maintain members, and to continue to have the cash flow to offer the programs that are so important to veterans, all of these things have been getting more difficult over time.

As they should, the organizations are turning primarily to the federal government. In fact, you will know that it's been widely reported that about $95 of every $100 of COVID-related relief in Canada has flowed from the federal government, and there's nothing wrong with that.

I was encouraged, Ms. Brimson, when you were talking about some of the other things you're looking at, and that's really where I hope to go when hearing from the witnesses today. We're all talking about pivoting and finding new sources of revenues to adapt to COVID. I'm wondering, Ms. Brimson, if you or any of the other organizations could go a little further in discussing the efforts you have made to find other sources of income, other programs that could be helpful to meeting the tremendous need that we know exists. If anybody has anything to add here, I'd ask you to go ahead.

[Linda Brimson]

I can speak to that.

I think it's essential. If an organization can't grow and change, see new needs, respond to them and innovate.... We need to appeal to different generations. Our education programs have to be presented in different ways—with audiovisual equipment, different from just a speaker in a classroom.

Charley Fox, was a well-known and decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar. He was a member for 20 years at our wing. He never glorified war, but because he had lived experience, he could go into a school. Soon there won't be those members who had Second World War or flying experience. There will be some from Korea, NATO and the Cold War era, but it won't be the same.

Yes, in a way it will be survival of the fittest. The groups that don't innovate, that don't really.... We want to keep that social warmness, but we'd better be offering a very good service to the community and to the wider community; hence this idea of an aviation hub in London. Even our business neighbours are hurting through this COVID. It's a very tough time to be approaching a manufacturing aviation partner right now and saying, look, we're wondering how we can support each other. However, collaboration is a key thing that we will be doing.

[Nick Booth]

Can I make one extra point?

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

You have about 10 seconds, sir.

[Nick Booth]

I think there is a missing connection between the wider Canadian public and veterans now. I think one of the key things we can all do, and maybe it's a sector-wide initiative, is to remind the Canadian public of the three-quarters of a million people who have served in Canada's uniform, and of the 101,000 still serving now. I don't think the public know that.

With regard to the serving members—who are obviously, sir, in your constituency particularly important—mobilizing the corporate sector to look at hiring transitioning veterans is one of the best ways to help their long-term financial well-being and mental health. It also will populate business with veterans, who will then be friendly later on.

[Andy Fillmore, Liberal, Halifax, NS]

Thank you, Mr. Booth.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

Just before we move on, I have to say that my ears perked up when I heard the name “Charley Fox”. He is my wife's great-uncle.

[Linda Brimson]

Oh!

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

I'll have to let her know this evening that he was mentioned in committee. She'll get a kick out of that.

[Linda Brimson]

He is big with the wing and with CHAA.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

He is big, period.

[Linda Brimson]

Everywhere, yes.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

Absolutely.

[Max Gaboriault]

Mr. Chair—

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

Before we move on to the third round, Mr. Gimblett has had his hand up—

[Max Gaboriault]

Hello?

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

Oh, hello. Go ahead, Max.

[Max Gaboriault]

I have about 20 minutes before I have to pick up my kids from school. I am three hours earlier in the day, so unfortunately I have that constraint.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

Fair enough. We will enjoy your company until you have to leave and will completely understand when you do.

I just wanted to mention that Mr. Gimblett's hand was up in the participants section. I wasn't sure if he was having any technical issues or if there was a reason for that.

[Mike Gimblett]

I was just going to comment on how over the last three years we've become very innovative. We've sourced new sources of revenue. We've been growing our revenues and keeping our membership the same.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bryan May]

Excellent. Thank you very much for that.

We'll move now to the third round.

MP Brassard, you have five minutes.