Veterans Affairs Committee on Nov. 25th, 2025

[The Chair, Liberal, Marie-France Lalonde]

I call the meeting back to order.

I think we've come to a conclusion.

I'm going to invite Mr. Casey to speak.

[Sean Casey, Liberal, Charlottetown, PE]

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Once again, the suspension proved worthwhile for trying to come to a consensus.

I am proposing a substantial amendment. The effect of the amendment would be essentially threefold.

First, there is pending litigation on this matter. A change to the wording that I propose in my amendment is designed so as not to thrust ourselves into the middle of a court case. That's the first thing.

The second thing the amendment does is include direct reference to female soldiers and female veterans in the French version.

The third is that the apology being offered by the amendment is an apology for the harms that have been caused without assuming responsibility, which goes back to the litigation point.

All of those things are embodied in the amendment. I propose to read what the amended motion would look like. If it's the preference of the clerk that I indicate which words I want taken out and which words I want added in, I can do that. Once all of that's done, the motion as amended would read as follows:

That the committee concur with the Ontario Legislature and Canadian veterans, and that the Government of Canada acknowledges mistakes were made in the “Presence in Absence” memorial that caused emotional and psychological hurt and harm, and apologizes to the living veterans who were wrongly identified as fallen soldiers and to the families of deceased soldiers whose names were left off the monument.

That's the impact of the amendments I'm proposing.

If it is of assistance to the clerk, I have another formal document that says exactly the words that I'm seeking to take out and the words I'm seeking to put in, but this is the end result.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Marie-France Lalonde]

That's perfect.

Mr. Richards, go ahead.

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

I'll keep this very brief.

I certainly understand the rationale and am comfortable with the changes being made, but I am not comfortable with the thing that's been removed from the very end, which is “that this be reported to the House”.

Unfortunately, it appears from our discussions that there aren't enough members of committee who feel the same way I do, so it will in fact pass. I still believe it's important that we express our objection to that. I think it's important that there be a report to the House, much as with the last motion, where attempts were made by Liberal members to have the report taken out.

I don't agree with it happening in this case either. Therefore, for that reason alone, I will be voting against it, but I agree with the rest of the changes.

[The Chair, Liberal, Marie-France Lalonde]

Go ahead, Mr. Ruff.

[Alex Ruff, Conservative, Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON]

Thank you, Chair. It's always good to be back here at the veterans affairs committee.

I just want to follow up on that and put the question back to Mr. Casey as to why it has been removed. I didn't have the privilege of being here for any previous debates and other motions, so I can't speak to them.

Specifically on this motion, we're talking about an issue.... I am an Afghanistan vet, and the point of reporting stuff to the House.... We have, as a ballpark, about 20 veterans across all parties in the House of Commons. We're not tracking everything in every committee that's going on every day. I wouldn't have even known this was going on today if it hadn't been shared with us.

Knowing the direct impact these mistakes had on veterans' families and the veterans who were identified, I just want an explanation. Why would we not want to report this back to the House of Commons? That's a question for Mr. Casey.

[The Chair, Liberal, Marie-France Lalonde]

At this point, would other people like to speak?

Go ahead, Mr. Casey.

[Sean Casey, Liberal, Charlottetown, PE]

I'll give Mr. Ruff the courtesy of a response. I would invite Madame Gaudreau to do the same.

What's important here is the apology, as opposed to a potential three-hour concurrence debate and a standing vote. That is the reason for that.

What the plaintiffs in the case have asked for is an apology, and nothing more. As far as I'm concerned, we're going to give them what they asked for.

[The Chair, Liberal, Marie-France Lalonde]

Ms. Gaudreau, go ahead.

[Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, Bloc, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

Essentially, it's important to refer to the remarks made by the individuals for whom it matters. What was mentioned is exactly what is written in the text. However, if the apology to the living Canadian veterans falls by the wayside, I will be the first to bring it back.

Seriously, I agree and I'm ready to vote.

[The Chair, Liberal, Marie-France Lalonde]

Please bear with me for a moment as I consult with the clerk.

I just want to make sure I follow the right procedure.

Go ahead, Mr. Richards.

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

I'll just say one thing. It's clear how the vote is going to go, and so be it, but it's been suggested that, somehow, there's automatically a concurrence debate that occurs when we report to the House. That's inaccurate. That's not how it plays out.

I will point out that I will be incredibly disappointed if this apology is not a proper and dignified apology, like some press release that gets buried on a Friday afternoon or something. I really hope the government is serious and will give a proper apology if this is how it's going to play out.

[The Chair, Liberal, Marie-France Lalonde]

Thank you very much for speaking, Mr. Richards.

Are we ready to vote on the amendment? We'll have a recorded vote.

(Amendment agreed to: yeas 5; nays 4 [See Minutes of Proceedings])

(Motion as amended agreed to: yeas 5; nays 4 [See Minutes of Proceedings])

[The Chair, Liberal, Marie-France Lalonde]

Thank you very much.

I'll move on to housekeeping.

Our next meeting will be on Thursday, November 27, 2025. We will resume the study on suicide prevention among veterans.

Is it the pleasure of the committee to adjourn?

The meeting is adjourned.