Evidence of meeting #8 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 organizations.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
Okay.
Well then, Mrs. Brimson, thank you for your testimony. I really appreciate that you were able to share with the committee the point that even before the pandemic, there were challenges.
The pandemic may have helped your organization and many organizations to look at other ways of doing business to support your organization and community. I look at this as being a very positive way of supporting. Can you tell me one or two things that you may be going to do differently, things that you didn't do before?
Director, 427 London Wing, Royal Canadian Air Force Association
Yes, we're going to try to get some more relationships, as a small museum, between some volunteer students, the university.... Even if we have to pay a small amount, it's worth getting a good archivist and some assistance with our indexing.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
Were you able to have any of the Canada student program for students this year for the museum?
Director, 427 London Wing, Royal Canadian Air Force Association
We didn't get it through that, but we did through Pillar Nonprofit group. We had two volunteers pre-COVID helping us with cataloguing.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bryan May
I will cut you off now, sir, if that's okay. I appreciate it.
Folks, thank you so much for helping us with this study and taking some time out of your busy schedules to answer our questions. I will ask the witnesses to vacate the meeting shortly.
If the MPs will indulge me and stay on, I just have one committee business item to go over.
Again, to the witnesses, thank you so much. I thank you all for the work you're doing on the ground, both in your organizations and as volunteers. It really does make a lot of difference to the veterans you serve.
Thank you.
Chief Executive Officer, True Patriot Love Foundation
Thank you for your time today.
Director, 427 London Wing, Royal Canadian Air Force Association
Thank you, and bye for now.
Dominion Secretary-Treasurer, Dominion Command, Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada
Thank you so much.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bryan May
As they are leaving, I'll explain that we didn't have any business scheduled for today, but something's come up, obviously. The fall economic statement will be on Monday, as scheduled for four o'clock. It is completely up to us if we wish to have a meeting at that time, as opposed to attending the fall economic statement. I wanted to make this a committee decision and not mine.
For Monday, we have three witnesses scheduled for the study that we are doing currently. I have conferred with the clerk. We do have runway on either the 7th or....
I'm sorry, Madam Clerk, was it the 11th?
The Clerk of the Committee Ms. Jolène Savoie-Day
We have December 7, or Wednesday, December 9.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bryan May
That's December 7 or Wednesday, December 9 that we could move this to.
I am concerned about Wednesday's meeting more than I am about Monday's because that is the day we're going to be reviewing the report on the backlog. Of course, the number one priority of this committee is to get that in before we rise for the Christmas break. I am being told that it is a fairly short report; it's about 27 pages.
What we are planning to do is to extend Wednesday to three hours, which would hopefully give us more than enough time to finish and approve the study on Wednesday. We're going to need to really buckle down and do that in order for me to have the runway to be able to table it the following week, which is the last sitting week of the House.
There are really two questions I'm asking. One, are we going to move Monday's meeting to the 7th, which is currently open? Two, do I have approval to extend the meeting to three hours? Obviously, we'll build in some bio breaks, if needed.
I do think the will of this committee is to get this study done and wrapped up before we rise for the holiday.
Are there any thoughts?
Conservative
John Brassard Conservative Barrie—Innisfil, ON
If I can go, Mr. Chair, first of all, I don't know who's in Ottawa as part of the committee for the economic update. I expect that the expectation of the parties will be that all members be in the House for the update. I suspect it's going to be tabled in the House.
Conservative
John Brassard Conservative Barrie—Innisfil, ON
It might be best that we postpone the meeting on Monday. I know that one of our members is dealing with a pre-scheduled health issue on Monday as well, so I would ask for some consideration with that, and maybe move it to Wednesday, do the three hours and then reschedule again for that other time.
That's what I know my position would be on this.
Thank you.
Liberal
Bloc
Luc Desilets Bloc Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
That's fine with me, Mr. Chair. I'm going to adapt. The three-hour meeting is fine by me.
NDP
Rachel Blaney NDP North Island—Powell River, BC
I am fine with a three-hour meeting. I think it makes sense to not have our committee meeting happen at the same time as the financial update. I know people are interested and want to engage in that process. I'm very happy for us to have a meeting on the 6th or the 9th. Just let us know and we'll do our best to accommodate.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bryan May
Okay.
Is there anyone from the Liberal side? All thumbs are up? That's excellent.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bryan May
That's great. I appreciate the co-operation there. We'll make this happen next week.
If there is no objection, I will move to adjourn the meeting.
Thank you very much, everybody. Take care.