Veterans Affairs Committee on Oct. 31st, 2024

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

Let's move on to more serious issues.

You say that we can't act retroactively. However, I understand that there is one piece of legislation that should be modified, amended, changed, whatever, but that all legislation can be amended by other legislation.

Am I wrong?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

Parliament has the ability to pass legislation. I think there are lots of examples, even during our most recent Parliament, where there's been an effort to amend existing legislation to make real improvements and to respond to changing times.

I think that's possible. I believe very strongly that it's possible.

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

In order to take this first step or try to amend the legislation, whose court is the ball in: that of the Department of Veterans Affairs or that of the Department of National Defence?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

I'm more than happy to exercise my responsibility here. At the same time, I have legislation before the House right now. I've been having a lot of trouble getting it through second reading. I wanted to get it to committee, because I really value the work that the committee can do on the thing. I think the report by this committee and the important work that this committee has been doing on this issue can inform Parliament. I've seen lots of examples of that as well, where committees have come forward and said, “This is what we think is right”. Then it's up to me to take the responsibility—

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

Do you have discussions with Ms. Petitpas Taylor about recognizing the Gulf War?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

We've had a number of conversations about it. It was an important conversation I had with the veterans.

We talk about commemoration a lot. She leads that for our government, but I also have a role in commemoration and honouring the work of veterans.

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

I'll ask you a specific question. As minister, how do you explain to a veteran who is before you that the monetary value of losing a leg is not the same from one plan to the next? What are the justifications for that? How do you explain it?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

Well, as you put it, it would be a very difficult thing to explain. I asked him questions about that, because the issue was raised with me as well.

I think the way the previous act was legislated was that it was so much money for a leg, a limb, a hand or whatever. I think the new act is a little bit more thoughtful and nuanced about what the impact of losing that leg is and whether or not it precludes a person from engaging in their employment after their service.

It also talks about the supports that are necessary. It's not just a straight cash payment for the loss of a limb; it talks about the supports that individual will need to live a productive, healthy and happy life with the loss of that limb.

I might suggest, as it's been explained to me, that it's slightly more nuanced than simply paying so much for a lost limb, and more about providing—

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

Thank you, Mr. Blair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

Thank you, Minister. Thank you very much.

You got the red card, so you have to....

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

If we were playing soccer, I would be off the field, sir.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

Yes, but we have more questions to ask you, so you can't leave.

I'd like to invite Ms. Blaney for two and a half minutes, please.

[Rachel Blaney, NDP, North Island—Powell River, BC]

Thank you.

I was hoping you were going to say, “She has five minutes, just because I like her so much”, but it didn't work out for me.

Minister, I just want to say, first of all, that I really hope there will be some work done to harmonize the benefits. I do feel like this is part of it. Commemoration is a more significant part in my mind, but I think harmonizing the benefits makes sense.

I want to go back to something in my riding. I know, as you're smiling at me, that you already know what I'm going to ask about.

In Comox Valley, of course, the amazing 19 Wing Comox Valley Air Force Museum is working very hard fundraising a tremendous amount of money to build a pavilion to store the De Havilland Vampire Mark III jet.

This is so important to our area. We already have a beautiful space where many military planes are shown. It allows the community to engage and to learn about what those planes did and what it means for the tradition of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

We know that the Vampire first flew in service in September 1943 and was retired from the air force in 1966. It became the first jet to operate from an aircraft carrier and to fly the Atlantic crossing from the United Kingdom to Goose Bay. It has been declared a Canadian heritage artifact and now lives at 19 Wing Comox.

Sadly, it can't be viewed by the public, and yet it's such an important part of remembrance. Because the cockpit is made of wood, which I think all of us who've ever been on a plane think is quite tremendously amazing, it cannot sit outside, especially in our very rainy environment, because, of course, it will not stand up to that. A glass display case has been designed to house the Vampire, and I'm pleased to report that, before he passed, local Comox World War II ace James “Stocky” Edwards approved the building design and really wanted to see that aircraft made available.

The supporters of this have raised a significant amount of money and would love to see the federal government contribute a small amount to have their name attached to acknowledging this piece of our history. I'm just wondering if you will continue to work with me to find these little bits of resources.

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

Please be assured. Absolutely. I'm grateful that you brought this to my attention. I had a whole team of people working on it just last night after you and I spoke about it. I'll do everything I can to find a way to help you on this one, because I think it's the right thing to do. I like to help people who are helping themselves, and your community has stepped up on this. It's an important commemoration. All commemorations, as we've talked a lot about, are important.

We'll work with you on this one, Rachel, and we'll get it done. Thank you for your advocacy on this.

[Rachel Blaney, NDP, North Island—Powell River, BC]

Thank you, sir.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

Thank you very much.

Now, for five minutes, we have the vice-chair of the committee Mr. Richards.

[Blake Richards, Conservative, Banff—Airdrie, AB]

I have two things.

First of all, I was very interested while listening to your response to previous questions about defence spending. I was struck by it. I would absolutely disagree with your characterization of a so-called plan to meet those targets years well after the current Prime Minister would be the Prime Minister of the country. It is not really a commitment to meet the targets.

Secondly, I hear you talking about the difference in the projections. Essentially, what you're telling us is that the only reason you believe you can meet these targets well into the future is because your government has driven the economy into the toilet. That's what you essentially said. Maybe the PBO is factoring in a future Pierre Poilievre government, and that's why the projections are so much more optimistic.

[An hon. member]

Wow.

[Blake Richards, Conservative, Banff—Airdrie, AB]

We'll have to agree to disagree about your thoughts on that, for sure.

Let me turn to something else you were asked about previously: the prayer ban.

You indicated that you don't believe it is a prayer ban. However, the directive the chaplain general put out is clearly that. Canadians see it as that.

If you believe it's not a prayer ban, why was there a need, last year, before Remembrance Day, to announce a temporary reprieve, in order to enable prayer at Remembrance Day ceremonies?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

Thanks very much.

In response to your first thing, I think we all recall—

[Blake Richards, Conservative, Banff—Airdrie, AB]

Minister, what I'm asking you about is this. I only have so much time—

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

I'll be very quick.

[Blake Richards, Conservative, Banff—Airdrie, AB]

—so I'd like your response to this question, please.

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

Let me respond to everything you said.

[Blake Richards, Conservative, Banff—Airdrie, AB]

I'd like a response to this question.