Veterans Affairs Committee on Oct. 7th, 2024

[Dr. Sean Graham]

We did see additions to special duty area through the sixties, seventies and eighties through orders in council.

[Randeep Sarai, Liberal, Surrey Centre, BC]

After 2006, we haven't seen that done?

[Dr. Sean Graham]

I have not studied up to the 21st century on that question.

[Randeep Sarai, Liberal, Surrey Centre, BC]

Veterans Week is a month away and this year's theme was unveiled by the Minister of Veterans Affairs as “CAF around the world”.

To officials from VAC, can you talk about why this theme was chosen? What sorts of initiatives has the department planned to commemorate this theme, in particular to focus on these modern conflicts?

I'll let you guys choose who wants to answer.

[Amy Meunier]

That's probably me. Thank you.

The CAF around the world theme comes from the 10-year strategic plan, which is about putting greater emphasis on post-Korean and domestic operations. Each year, there's a particular theme picked.

Throughout this year, we have focused in on activities connected to or profiling Rwanda. There is some learning material related to the Persian Gulf service and learning material related to women in modern conflicts.

We will, in a month's time—all security elements still in check—be going back to Cyprus with approximately 200 individuals to revisit where they served. That will be as part of the 50th anniversary since the war and the 60th anniversary of the peacekeeping mission there.

Last year, we focused significantly on peacekeepers. All of our missions and themes were around that.

I know that we talk a lot about events and activities and, of course, during Veterans Week, we will see many of those here in Ottawa and across the country. What's also really important are the learning products that I spoke about earlier that are connecting youth to military history and the accomplishments of the Canadian military. As I mentioned, there are over five million products that are shared with educators across the country. It's pretty significant.

For the stories that we are accruing from more modern missions where Canadian Armed Forces have served around the world, and going back to the theme, we push those stories out on our commemorative social media channels, where there is an audience of a million plus. A million Canadians have quick access to each of those stories or connections.

This Veterans Week, we will be having some of the signature events we've seen in the past. For example, the candlelight ceremony at the Canadian War Museum will include a focus on Cyprus. There's also a learning day that will highlight the service of women, as well as the RCAF. In each of the elements, we are focusing on modern veterans and on our CAF around the world.

As well, last year we introduced a new element to Veterans Week, which is “open mic” night. Many veterans have told us they have found healing and community connection through music. We hosted three open mic nights last year, and they proved to be very successful. In fact, after the one in Ottawa, I received a message from several veterans who indicated that they hadn't left their homes in over two years, but because it was community and it was music, they felt comfortable coming. An individual is now getting services and benefits from the department, which is a very positive thing.

I'm happy to say that we're hosting three more this year. It's something that we hope to incorporate. Again, it's connecting.

We use the words “traditional” and “modern” a lot, but there are those missions that we don't often hear enough about. I take that up as the challenge on how we promote them and put more recognition into them.

Thank you very much for that question.

I'm sorry....

[Randeep Sarai, Liberal, Surrey Centre, BC]

Thank you for your answer.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

I'm sorry, Mr. Sarai.

We'll go to Mr. Desilets for six minutes.

[Luc Desilets, Bloc, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

Mr. Girouard, why can't veterans wear the Gulf and Kuwait Medal on their uniforms?

[BGen Luc Girouard]

Thank you. Unfortunately, I'm going to once again ask Major‑General Simoneau to answer you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

Mr. Girouard, we have to respect the order of command. No, I'm just kidding.

[Voices]

Oh, oh! (laughter)

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

Go ahead, Major‑General Simoneau.

[MGen Erick Simoneau]

I just don't know anything about that medal. I'm just guessing here, because I don't know exactly what you're referring to, but if a head of state gives a medal to a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, maybe they could wear it on their uniform. The rank of the person who awards the medal is what matters here. It has to be a head of state.

[Luc Desilets, Bloc, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

Okay. Mr. Girouard, correct me if I'm wrong, but was it the Kuwait Liberation Medal that the government awarded you?

[BGen Luc Girouard]

No. These are commendations.

It's not the “what”; it's the "how" you did your job.

Commendations are not considered medals that recognize—

[Luc Desilets, Bloc, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

Kuwait awarded it to you, though, right?

[BGen Luc Girouard]

No, it wasn't Kuwait. It was my chain of command, my Canadian superiors, who awarded it to me.

[Luc Desilets, Bloc, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

Okay.

Do people ask you why you can't wear it anyway? I understand Major‑General Simoneau's logic, but do people ask you that?

[BGen Luc Girouard]

I think Major‑General Simoneau answered the question.

However, I would add that there is also a principle of dual recognition: A person cannot be recognized twice for the same mission. If a Canadian medal was awarded for a particular mission, a medal from another country could not also be worn.

[Luc Desilets, Bloc, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

I understand. That's a good answer.

Mr. Tessier, we know that financial compensation is a problem. Does the department have any studies indicating how much the government would have to pay out annually to achieve equity?

[Pierre Tessier]

I'll answer in English.

I think the best way to approach that is to provide the documents that I have offered to provide to the committee, which provide a comparison between the two acts and provide all the information that we can around the two pieces.

[Luc Desilets, Bloc, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

The department isn't interested in knowing how much. Are we talking $1 million a year or $2 billion? I have no clue, and neither do my colleagues. I should think you'd be in the best position to know, no?

[Pierre Tessier]

At the moment, we are acting in accordance with the current legislation. If things were to change as a result of this committee's work or the armed forces' designations, we would do the same thing we would with any legislative change of any kind.

[Luc Desilets, Bloc, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

I understand.

The financial part of the equation is clearly a problem, as we've heard from veterans.

However, recognition is an issue too, and that's not just about the monument or prestige. It's also about personal recognition, and these veterans don't feel recognized for their participation in a real war, if you see what I mean.

Major‑General Simoneau, I see you nodding your head. Do you agree with that?

[MGen Erick Simoneau]

I was nodding to indicate that I understood the question, not that I agreed with what you said.

I would just say that a declaration of war is an act of Parliament; it's not up to departments. To the best of my knowledge, the Government of Canada has not declared war since World War II. That is what informed how the legislation evolved, and that is why the term “war” is not used. However, that does not prevent us from supporting our members by providing them with adequate compensation, recognition and benefits. I can assure you that, for all Canadian Armed Forces members who are deployed, we take the level of compensation, recognition and benefits we give them upon their return from a mission very seriously.