Veterans Affairs Committee on June 17th, 2025

The Clerk of the Committee Eric Glavin

Honourable members of the committee, welcome to the first meeting of the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs.

I see a quorum.

Pursuant to Standing Order 106(3)(a), as the clerk of the committee, I will preside over the elections of the chair and the vice-chairs.

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.

Mr. Richards.

Conservative

Blake Richards Conservative Airdrie—Cochrane, AB

I would move to nominate Marie-France Lalonde.

The Clerk

It has been moved by Blake Richards that Marie-France Lalonde be elected as chair of the committee.

Are there any further motions? I see none.

(Motion agreed to)

I declare Madame Lalonde duly elected as chair of the committee.

Voices

Hear, hear!

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Marie-France Lalonde

First, I want to thank Mr. Richards and all of you.

Thank you all for placing your trust in me today. I'm honoured to have this privilege.

I think that we can now proceed to the election of the vice‑chairs.

The Clerk

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Pursuant to Standing Order 106(2), the first vice‑chair must be a member of the official opposition.

I'm now prepared to receive motions for the first vice‑chair.

Mr. Casey.

Liberal

Sean Casey Liberal Charlottetown, PE

I'd like to nominate the honourable member from Airdrie—Cochrane, Blake Richards, for the position of vice-chair of the veterans affairs committee.

The Clerk

It has been moved by Mr. Casey that Mr. Richards be elected as the first vice-chair of the committee. Are there any further motions? I see none.

(Motion agreed to)

I declare Mr. Richards duly elected as the first vice-chair of the committee.

Voices

Hear, hear!

The Clerk

Pursuant to Standing Order 106(2), the second vice-chair must be a member of an opposition party other than the official opposition.

I'm now prepared to receive motions for the second vice‑chair.

Liberal

Sean Casey Liberal Charlottetown, PE

This is bound to come as a big surprise, but I would like to nominate Marie‑Hélène Gaudreau, the member for Laurentides—Labelle.

The Clerk

It has been moved by Mr. Casey that Ms. Gaudreau be elected as second vice‑chair of the committee.

Are there any further motions?

(Motion agreed to)

The Clerk

I declare the motion carried and Ms. Gaudreau duly elected second vice‑chair of the committee.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Marie-France Lalonde

I would like to congratulate our two vice‑chairs and all the members of this committee, which plays a key role in the lives of a number of people. These people served our country, and they often come to share their stories and ask us to help them with some of the issues that they face.

Welcome to meeting number one of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs.

Before we begin, I would ask all in‑person participants to read the guidelines written on the updated cards on the table. These measures are in place to help prevent audio and feedback incidents, and to protect the health and safety of all participants, including the interpreters, whom I would like to thank.

You'll also notice a QR code on the card that links to a short awareness video.

I invite all of you to be very attentive to ensure the well-being of our interpreters.

Thank you in advance.

Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format.

I would like to remind participants of the following points.

Before speaking, please wait until I recognize you by name. Committee members, please raise your hand if you wish to speak. I'll do my best to stay on top of things.

To help me see—certainly, our clerk will help me—if you have comments that you would like to bring forward, please raise your hand.

The committee clerk and I will take care to keep track of the speaking order.

As a reminder, all comments should be addressed through the chair.

I hope you all had the chance to look at our routine motions. With the agreement of the committee, we can proceed to the consideration of the routine motions.

I know that the committee clerk has circulated a list of draft routine motions that were prepared by all the whips of the recognized parties.

As a reminder, a motion must be moved by a committee member. It's also easier to consider the routine motions one by one.

We'll do that if it's okay, and I have agreement.

The first one, I think, is very important. I'll invite a member to read the motion.

Go ahead, Ms. Hirtle.

Liberal

Alana Hirtle Liberal Cumberland—Colchester, NS

Thank you, Madam Chair.

The first motion is about 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.

(Motion agreed to)

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Marie-France Lalonde

I would like to welcome the analyst, with whom we've all had the pleasure of working. We're extremely grateful to him.

For the next motion, I would like to invite Madame Auguste.

Liberal

Tatiana Auguste Liberal Terrebonne, QC

I move:That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and be composed of four members; the chair and one member from each recognized party, as designated by each party's whip; and that the subcommittee work in a spirit of collaboration.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Marie-France Lalonde

Is everyone in favour of adopting the motion?

(Motion agreed to)

Go ahead, Mrs. Wagantall.

Conservative

Cathay Wagantall Conservative Yorkton—Melville, SK

What was interpreted was that it be composed of five members. Is it four members or five? It was possibly just the interpretation. I don't know.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Marie-France Lalonde

The subcommittee must be composed of four members.

Mr. Chen, you can read the next one.

Liberal

Shaun Chen Liberal Scarborough North, ON

On meetings 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.

(Motion agreed to)

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Marie-France Lalonde

Good.

For the next one, we'll have Ms. Hirtle.

Liberal

Alana Hirtle Liberal Cumberland—Colchester, NS

On travel, I move:

That, when travelling outside the Parliamentary Precinct: (a) the meeting begin after 15 minutes, regardless of whether quorum is present; (b) no substantive motion may be moved during such meetings.

(Motion agreed to)

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Marie-France Lalonde

We'll now move on to the next motion.

Ms. Auguste, the floor is yours.

Liberal

Tatiana Auguste Liberal Terrebonne, QC

Concerning the time for opening remarks and questioning of witnesses, I move:

That witnesses be given five (5) minutes for their opening statements; that whenever possible, witnesses provide the committee with their opening statements 72 hours in advance; that, at the discretion of the Chair, during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated six (6) minutes for the first questioner of each party as follows: First Round: Conservative Party Liberal Party Bloc Québécois

For the second and subsequent rounds, the order and time for questioning be as follows: Conservative Party, five (5) minutes Liberal Party, five (5) minutes Bloc Québécois, two and a half (2.5) minutes Conservative Party, five (5) minutes Liberal Party, five (5) minutes

(Motion agreed to)

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Marie-France Lalonde

We'll now proceed to the next motion.

Liberal

Shaun Chen Liberal Scarborough North, ON

On document distribution, I move:

That only the clerk of the committee be authorized to distribute documents to members of the committee and only when the documents are in both official languages; and that all documents submitted to the committee in both official languages that do not come from a federal department or members' offices, or that have not been translated by the Translation Bureau, be sent for linguistic review by the Translation Bureau before being distributed to members, and that the witnesses be advised accordingly.

(Motion agreed to)

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Marie-France Lalonde

For our next motion, we'll go to Ms. Hirtle.

Liberal

Alana Hirtle Liberal Cumberland—Colchester, NS

On working meals, I move:

That the clerk of the committee, at the discretion of the Chair, be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the committee and its subcommittees.

(Motion agreed to)

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Marie-France Lalonde

It does say, “at the discretion of the Chair”, so be ready. You may have a surprise this session.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh!

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Marie-France Lalonde

I speak French and I like French cuisine.

Ms. Auguste, the floor is yours.

Liberal

Tatiana Auguste Liberal Terrebonne, QC

Concerning the travel, accommodation and living expenses of witnesses, I move:

That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses not exceeding two representatives per organization; and that in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Marie-France Lalonde

Is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt the motion?

(Motion agreed to)

We'll go to the next motion.

Go ahead, Mr. Chen.

Liberal

Shaun Chen Liberal Scarborough North, ON

On access to in camera meetings, I move:

That, unless otherwise ordered, each committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff member at in camera meetings and that one additional person from each House officer's office be allowed to be present.

That, during in camera meetings, committee members may be informed by the committee Chair of the MPs who have been designated as substitutes for permanent members, in order to know which MPs are authorized to speak and vote during these committee meetings. That only those who have been recognized and identified as such be authorized to speak, in keeping with the usual agreed rules—

Bloc

Marie-Hélène Gaudreau Bloc Laurentides—Labelle, QC

I have a point of order, Madam Chair.

My colleague is reading the motion too quickly and the interpreters don't have the same documents. It's necessary to either give them the documents or to speak more slowly, so that we can get an accurate interpretation.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Marie-France Lalonde

The documents were sent to them.

That said, Mr. Chen, please read the motion a bit more slowly, so that the interpreters can help us. Thank you.

Liberal

Shaun Chen Liberal Scarborough North, ON

I'm sorry if I spoke too fast.

The second part is:

That, during in camera meetings, committee members may be informed by the committee Chair of the MPs who have been designated as substitutes for permanent members, in order to know which MPs are authorized to speak—

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Marie-France Lalonde

Just wait a second.

Liberal

Sean Casey Liberal Charlottetown, PE

Ms. Gaudreau, I sent you a copy of the document.

Bloc

Marie-Hélène Gaudreau Bloc Laurentides—Labelle, QC

Yes. I received it.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Marie-France Lalonde

I can't hear anything. I don't have an earpiece.

Bloc

Marie-Hélène Gaudreau Bloc Laurentides—Labelle, QC

The interpreters have last year's version, Madam Chair. They don't have all the information.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Marie-France Lalonde

I apologize profusely to our interpreters, who don't have the latest version.

Interpreters, we'll send you the latest version, with our apologies.

Liberal

Shaun Chen Liberal Scarborough North, ON

On access to in camera meetings, I move:

That, unless otherwise ordered, each committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff member at in camera meetings and that one additional person from each House officer's office be allowed to be present.

That, during in camera meetings, committee members may be informed by the committee Chair of the MPs who have been designated as substitutes for permanent members, in order to know which MPs are authorized to speak and vote during these committee meetings. That only those who have been recognized and identified as such be authorized to speak, in keeping with the usual agreed rules of order and decorum.

(Motion agreed to)

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Marie-France Lalonde

We would like to have the next one, please, Ms. Hirtle.

Liberal

Alana Hirtle Liberal Cumberland—Colchester, NS

Regarding transcripts of in camera meetings, I move:

That one copy of the transcript of each in camera meeting be securely retained by the committee clerk for consultation by members of the committee or by their staff; and that the analysts assigned to the committee have access to the in camera transcripts.

(Motion agreed to)

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Marie-France Lalonde

Ms. Auguste, we're listening.

Liberal

Tatiana Auguste Liberal Terrebonne, QC

Concerning the notices of motion, I move:

That a 48‑hour notice, interpreted as two nights, be required for any substantive motion to be moved in committee, unless the substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration, provided that: (a) the notice be filed with the clerk of the committee no later than 4 p.m. from Monday to Thursday, and no later than 2:30 p.m. on Friday; (b) the motion be distributed to members and the offices of the whips of each recognized party in both official languages by the clerk on the same day the said notice was transmitted if it was received no later than the deadline hour; (c) notices received after the deadline hour or on non‑business days be deemed to have been received during the next business day.

(Motion agreed to)

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Marie-France Lalonde

For our next one, we will invite Mr. Chen.

Liberal

Shaun Chen Liberal Scarborough North, ON

On orders of reference from the House respecting bills, I move:

That in relation to orders of reference from the House respecting bills:

(a) the clerk of the committee shall, upon the committee receiving such an order of reference, write to each member who is not a member of a caucus represented on the committee to invite those members to file with the clerk of the committee, in both official languages, any amendments to the bill, which is the subject of the said order, which they would suggest that the committee consider;

(b) suggested amendments filed, pursuant to paragraph (a), at least 48 hours prior to the start of clause-by-clause consideration of the bill to which the amendments relate shall be deemed to be proposed during the said consideration, provided that the committee may, by motion, vary this deadline in respect of a given bill; and

(c) During the clause‑by‑clause consideration of a bill, the Chair shall allow a member who filed suggested amendments, pursuant to paragraph (a), an opportunity to make brief representations in support of them.

(Motion agreed to)

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Marie-France Lalonde

Congratulations on your French. Thank you.

We'll now proceed to the next motion.

Go ahead, Ms. Hirtle.

Liberal

Alana Hirtle Liberal Cumberland—Colchester, NS

On technical tests for witnesses, I move:

That the clerk inform each witness who is to appear before the committee that the House Administration support team must conduct technical tests to check the connectivity and the equipment used to ensure the best possible sound quality; and that the Chair advise the committee, at the start of each meeting, of any witness who did not perform the required technical tests.

(Motion agreed to)

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Marie-France Lalonde

We'll move on to the next one.

Go ahead, Madame Auguste.

Liberal

Tatiana Auguste Liberal Terrebonne, QC

Concerning whips' access to digital binders, I move:

That the clerk of the committee be authorized to grant access to the committee's digital binder to the offices of the whips of each recognized party.

(Motion agreed to)

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Marie-France Lalonde

Go ahead, Mr. Chen.

Liberal

Shaun Chen Liberal Scarborough North, ON

On maintenance of order and decorum, I move:

That, during meetings, the Chair, if necessary, use his or her prerogative to suspend the meeting to maintain the order and decorum necessary to ensure the application of the House of Commons’ policies on workplace health and safety.

(Motion agreed to)

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Marie-France Lalonde

Good. Thank you.

I know these are little housekeeping things, but they're important. They will set us and our agenda going forward.

Does the committee wish to discuss any further committee business?

Go ahead, Mr. Richards.

Conservative

Blake Richards Conservative Airdrie—Cochrane, AB

Having had a chance to discuss a couple of motions with most of the members of the committee, there were a couple of members who mentioned to me....

I have two motions. One is related to the Persian Gulf War study, and the other one is related to the “Reforming Transition from Military to Civilian Life” report from the last Parliament. I was under the impression that neither of them had received a government response. Some members seem to believe that the transition to civilian life report had received a government response.

Can our analyst or clerk confirm that for us?

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Marie-France Lalonde

Good question. We'll check.

Conservative

Blake Richards Conservative Airdrie—Cochrane, AB

While you do that, I could move another one? We're certain that's the case.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Marie-France Lalonde

Yes. I think we agree on the Gulf War one.

Conservative

Blake Richards Conservative Airdrie—Cochrane, AB

I move that, given the committee members, staff, the clerk, analysts and witnesses worked hard to produce the report entitled “The Persian Gulf War Was a War” during the first session of the 44th Parliament, and given that the government did not table a response because of the prorogation of Parliament, the committee deem that it has undertaken and completed a study on “The Persian Gulf War was a War” pursuant to Standing Order 108, and that it adopt that report as a report from this committee; pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee request the government to table a comprehensive response to the report; supplementary or dissenting reports that accompanied the report in the previous session of Parliament should be tabled with the main report; and the chair present the report to the House.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Marie-France Lalonde

Go ahead, Mr. Casey.

Liberal

Sean Casey Liberal Charlottetown, PE

I'd like to propose an amendment to the motion. The motion suggests that the reason for its not being tabled was that the government prorogued Parliament. I'm not convinced that is the case, given the lengthy filibuster that tied up the House in the last few months.

As opposed to trying to point fingers about whose fault it was that it wasn't tabled, I would simply ask that the reference to prorogation be deleted. We'd then be happy to support the motion.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Marie-France Lalonde

Is there any more debate on this?

Conservative

Blake Richards Conservative Airdrie—Cochrane, AB

We'll consider that a friendly amendment. I believe that was the reason, but I'm not fussing over it. Let's consider it a friendly amendment. I'm fine with it.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Marie-France Lalonde

Thank you very much, Mr. Richards.

I just want to make sure that we can share.... I think we have to share it in both official languages to each member, or is it okay?

We're going to be sharing this motion, and don't forget that we have a friendly amendment. Is everybody in agreement? Mr. Richards said yes, but I need the consensus of all members to do the friendly amendment.

(Amendment agreed to)

That's excellent. We will be sharing the original.

I do have the answer. Indeed, it was not.

Go ahead, Mr. Richards.