Evidence of meeting #1 for Veterans Affairs in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A recording is available from Parliament.
The Clerk of the Committee Mr. Cédric Taquet
Honourable members of the committee, I see a quorum.
I must inform members that the clerk of the committee can only receive motions for the election of the chair. The clerk cannot receive other types of motions, entertain points of order or participate in debate.
We can now proceed to the election of the chair. Pursuant to Standing Order 106(2), the chair must be a member of the government party.
I am ready to receive motions for the chair.
Go ahead, Madam Valdez.
Liberal
The Clerk
Thank you.
It has been moved by Ms. Valdez that Mr. Dubourg be elected as chair of the committee.
Are there any further motions?
(Motion agreed to)
I declare the motion carried and Mr. Dubourg duly elected chair of the committee.
I invite Mr. Dubourg to take the chair.
The Clerk
I will now proceed to the election of vice-chairs.
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.
Conservative
The Clerk
It has been moved by Madam Roberts that Mr. Caputo be elected as first vice-chair of the committee.
Are there any further motions?
(Motion agreed to)
I declare the motion carried and Mr. Caputo duly elected first vice-chair of the committee.
Pursuant to Standing Order 106(2), the second vice-chair must be a member of the opposition, from a party other than the official opposition.
I am now ready to receive motions for the position of second vice-chair.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
I nominate Luc Desilets, from the Bloc Québécois, for the position of second vice-chair of the committee.
The Clerk
Moved by Mr. Samson that Mr. Desilets be elected second vice-chair of the committee.
Are there any further motions?
(Motion agreed to)
I declare the motion carried and that Mr. Desilets is duly elected second vice-chair of the committee.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
Let's continue.
Thank you to the clerk for doing these elections. This is now the introductions.
I would like to ask the vice-chairs to please say a few words in a moment. I am very pleased that the members of the committee have elected me to the position of Chair. My thanks to you.
I was previously the Chair of the Standing Committee on Official Languages. Today, here I am as Chair of the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs. This is a pleasure for me.
I am going to continue with an opening statement. Before that, I will give the floor to Mr. Caputo
It's your turn as vice-chair to say a few words, if you like.
Conservative
Frank Caputo Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
It's a pleasure and honour to be here. I have a great deal of passion for veterans and hope to work on my français as time goes on. Hopefully I can practise in the coming months and years with you.
It's a real pleasure and honour to be here, and I hope that we can work together collaboratively for the benefit of veterans and all Canadians.
Thank you.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
Thank you very much, Mr. Caputo.
Mr. Desilets, the floor is yours.
Bloc
Luc Desilets Bloc Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
I will be looking after Mr. Caputo's French. We spoke about it this afternoon. I will be his private teacher.
Desilets
It really is an honour for me to sit on this committee once more. I was a member in the last Parliament and I believe in its effectiveness. I learned a lot and I hope to continue to learn.
I would like to tell the new members of the committee that our work generally rolls along very well, in a climate of some harmony. There were no major debates as in other committees. We get work done effectively.
That's it.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
Thank you very much, Mr. Desilets.
I am going to put on my headset because I have to practise my English, just like you.
Welcome, once again.
I also want to welcome one of our members online, Mr. Sean Casey.
Welcome to the committee.
Liberal
Sean Casey Liberal Charlottetown, PE
Thank you very much.
I have some routine motions to bring forward.
First of all, Mr. Dubourg, allow me to congratulate you for your election as Chair of the committee. It really is a pleasure to be able to work with you in this session of Parliament. I have great confidence in your leadership.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
Thank you.
Excuse me, Mr. Casey, I have to give an opening statement so that everyone is on the same wavelength. Then I'll hand the floor to you.
So here is the opening statement.
Welcome to meeting number one of the Standing Committee on Veteran Affairs.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the House order of November 25, 2021. Members are attending in person in the room and remotely using the Zoom application. Regarding the speaking list, the committee clerk and I will do the best we can to maintain a consolidated order of speaking for all members, whether participating virtually or in person.
I would like to take this opportunity to remind all participants to this meeting that screenshots or photos of your screen are not permitted. The proceedings will be made available via the House of Commons website.
Given the ongoing pandemic situation and in light of the recommendations from public health authorities, as well as the directive of the Board of Internal Economy on October 19, 2021, we have the following recommendations to keep all those attending the meeting in person healthy and safe.
Everyone must maintain a two-metre physical distancing, whether seated or standing. Everyone must wear a non-medical mask when circulating in the room. It is recommended in the strongest possible terms that members wear their masks at all times, including when seated. Everyone present must maintain proper hand hygiene by using the hand sanitizer at the room entrance. Committee rooms are cleaned before and after each meeting. To maintain this, everyone is encouraged to clean surfaces such as the desk, chair and microphone when vacating a seat. Last, anyone with symptoms should participate by Zoom and not attend the meeting in person.
As the Chair, I will be enforcing these measures for the duration of the meeting and I thank members in advance for their cooperation.
We are now on routine motions.
With the committee's agreement, I propose that we move to the consideration of the routine motions.
Before I give the floor to Mr. Casey, I would also like to take this opportunity, on behalf of all members of the committee, to offer our regards to the clerk, who will be helping us during our meetings, and also the analysts, the desk staff, and the whole team that will be with us to make sure that our meetings run well.
Mr. Sean Casey, the floor is yours.
Liberal
Sean Casey Liberal Charlottetown, PE
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
The first routine motion has the heading Analyst Services. I move:
That the committee retain, as needed and at the discretion of the Chair, the services of one or more analysts from the Library of Parliament to assist it in its work.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
Before we go any further, my dear committee members, I would like to say one thing.
As you know, the routine motions that Sean Casey is presently reading have been discussed by the whips of all parties. After each motion is read, I will ask if anyone is opposed to it. If no one is opposed, Mr. Casey will move to the next motion. However, if committee members wish, each motion could be passed by a recorded vote.
The last motion that Mr. Casey read dealt with the services of analysts.
Is any member of the committee opposed to the motion being carried?
Seeing no one opposed, I declare the motion carried.
(Motion agreed to)
Mr. Casey, you can continue reading the motions.
Liberal
Sean Casey Liberal Charlottetown, PE
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
The second motion is on the subcommittee on agenda and procedure. I move:
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and be composed of five members; the Chair, one member from each recognized party; and that the subcommittee work in a spirit of collaboration.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
Are there any objections to adopting the subcommittee motion?
(Motion agreed to)
Liberal
Sean Casey Liberal Charlottetown, PE
The next motion has the heading Meeting without a Quorum. I move:
That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence and to have that evidence published when a quorum is not present, provided that at least four members are present, including two members of the opposition parties and two members of the government party, but when travelling outside the Parliamentary Precinct, that the meeting begin after 15 minutes, regardless of members present.
