Veterans Affairs Committee on Feb. 15th, 2022

[Crystal Garrett-Baird]

The safety and health and well-being of our veterans is the priority. As I mentioned during my remarks, we've been providing updates to our veterans organizations and stakeholders, and they're very saddened to see the disrespect that has occurred. These monuments are public spaces. They are spaces to commemorate, to remember. They're also spaces for or youth to engage and learn about the sacrifices and achievements of those who have served and those who are serving. There's certainly a level of concern there.

We've heard, for example, from the Royal Canadian Legion, who have made a very public statement about their concern for the safety and protection of the monument and the sacredness of that monument. All the ones that we have discussed this evening, whether it's the National War Memorial, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the National Aboriginal Veterans Monument, symbolize something very sacred to Canadians. These represent the sacrifices made by our veterans, who have served and put their lives on the line in the cause of peace and freedom. There is nothing more important than that. That is why we will continue to work with our partners at PSPC and the National Capital Commission to ensure that these monuments continue to be symbols for Canadians to recognize and remember.

[Churence Rogers, Liberal, Bonavista—Burin—Trinity, NL]

Thank you very much.

I think you commented earlier about engaging Canadians of all ages as you do your work at Veterans Affairs. As a former administrator and school teacher, I know for a fact that veterans were recognized and held in high esteem in schools, particularly in schools I taught in. Memorial Day and Remembrance Day were always celebrated and veterans were actually invited into the school to talk about the importance of their contribution to the country.

Is there something further we can do beyond the kinds of things we've done over the years to elevate the importance of the contributions veterans have made to our country?

[Crystal Garrett-Baird]

Thank you, Mr. Chair, for the question.

Right now, as part of our 10-year strategic plan, this is a blueprint for future commemorative programming. One key element of this plan is creative approaches to engage all Canadians including youth, new Canadians and indigenous peoples.

There needs to be a greater investment in the stewardship, presentation and commemorative integrity of Canada's commemorative footprint. It's very clear that we can only keep the achievements and the sacrifices of those who have served alive by ensuring that our youth are aware of their history, the impact on the present and what it means for the future.

Within Veterans Affairs Canada, as part of Veterans' Week, we have an extensive suite of learning resources and programming available. We work very closely with schools across the country to provide learning materials and lesson plans that they can use to share with their students and teach them about commemoration and the sacrifices of those who have served.

We recently finished our Valentines for Vets, which is a wonderful program where our youth develop valentines and share those with veterans in the long-term care facilities. This continues to be a focal point and a key area for commemoration as we move forward.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

Thank you so much, Ms. Garrett-Baird.

The bells are ringing.

I am speaking to members of the committee. Do I have unanimous consent to continue this meeting until 8:15 p.m., so that we have time to vote? I know there are several members of the committee in the room. Please indicate to the clerk if you disagree. For those of you who are in virtual mode, please indicate on the screen if you disagree.

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Mr. Chair, may I address you, please?

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

Yes, Mr. Caputo, please go ahead.

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Thank you.

I'm prepared to provide consent to 8:10. Three members have indicated they're voting in person, so I would suggest 8:10.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

Okay, 8:10.

[Sean Casey, Liberal, Charlottetown, PE]

Mr. Chair, I think that Rechie and I, here in the room, are fine with 8:10 as well.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

There are no objections. We're going to go until 8:10 and the clerk will help make sure that I'm on time.

Right now, let's go to Mr. Desilets.

Mr. Desilets, you have two and half minutes.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I was worried I would not have a second round.

This is going to sound a little strange in a committee, but we care very deeply about veterans' monuments. That's essential. It's a connection to our past and to our history, to give a nod to Mr. Harris. I'd like to throw out this little quote that my darling parliamentary assistant just found for me: "Lack of understanding of the present is inevitably the result of ignorance of the past".

Having said that, I would like Mr Déry to make proposals or recommendations to the Committee. That's what committees are for. Do you need money? Do you need the rules changed, the laws amended? Do the processes need to be viewed differently or reviewed?

[Stéphan Déry]

Thank you very much, Mr. Desilets.

Here is what I would suggest to the committee. Canada should take note of what is being done elsewhere, for example in the United States or other Commonwealth countries, such as the United Kingdom and Australia. These countries have already faced events that we don't usually experience in Canada. These countries have adopted different approaches, some of which are similar to those used in Canada, but they may be at a different stage. Canada could look to these countries for inspiration on how to improve respect for memorials and ensure a greater presence...

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

I am sorry to interrupt you, Mr. Déry, but I must do so, otherwise we will run out of time.

Do you have practical examples of recommendations that we could include in our report, please?

[Stéphan Déry]

I'll give you a specific example. In the United Kingdom, if a tent is pitched, it is removed the evening of the same day. This is automatic and applies to everyone. In our case, it is not the city's police department that would remove the tent, but the RCMP...

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

Thank you, Mr. Déry. I am sorry to interrupt you, but the time is up.

The last round will go to Ms. Blaney.

Ms. Blaney, you have the floor for two and half minutes.

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

Thank you so much, Mr. Chair.

It is very distressing for me, as a person who's worked on behalf of veterans for so long, to hear about some of the activities that are happening that disrespect such an important monument in our country.

I have to reflect on the fact that I've had members from my own constituency back in B.C. come all the way here to bring a memento of a loved one they have lost. We arrange for it to be delivered. That process is incredibly sacred. People who protect that space receive it and bring it down below.... That person knows that the picture of their loved one, something that they've brought, is there to remember them. This is just so distressing.

I'm wondering, Mr. Chair, if I can, through you, ask Mr. Déry one more question.

With this happening and people surrounding that space, putting up tents and desecrating it—as we heard today—does this prevent any scheduled maintenance of the monument? I can't imagine you can go there to make sure that things are cleaned and taken care of.

You also spoke about the people who do these rounds. With this occupation, I'm wondering if they are any longer able to do those rounds and fulfill their commitment to that monument and to the people who serve this country.

[Stéphan Déry]

Thank you very much. That's an excellent question.

Mr. Chair, although my people are courageous and have done a lot during the last three weeks to support the City of Ottawa and Parliament, they are not police officers. They don't carry guns. However, they do continue, with police escorts, to do their maintenance and to do the work they need to do.

We're ensuring that the monuments we maintain are kept in perfect shape, and that if there's an incident, it is restored right away. Even in the middle of the night, our team will go out and fix it, to ensure that people don't have to see the desecration that has happened or the lack of respect that was made to such an important monument.

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

Through you, Mr. Chair, I hope you will pass on our thanks to these amazing people who are doing this sacred work.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

Yes. Thank you so much.

That's all the time that we have.

On behalf of the members of the committee, I would like to thank you, the witnesses, for your contribution to the study we are conducting.

I shall remind you that we had with us Mr. Stephen Harris, Chief Historian, of the Department of National Defence, Directorate of History and Heritage; Mr. Stéphan Déry, Assistant Deputy Minister for the Department of Public Works and Government Services, Real Property Services Branch; and Ms. Crystal Garrett-Baird, Acting Assistant Deputy Minister for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Strategic Policy and Commemoration.

By the way, Mr. Déry, you can always send the security incident guide you mentioned to the clerk. We would be pleased to receive it.

Is it the pleasure of the committee members to adjourn this meeting now?

I am getting nods.

Meeting adjourned.