Veterans Affairs Committee on Nov. 27th, 2025

[The Chair, Liberal, Marie-France Lalonde]

Okay.

As I understand it, Ms. Gaudreau, you are proposing to set aside one hour to hear from the witnesses.

What I have heard from some members of the committee is that we want to listen to what they have to say.

Our goal is to have them come and speak for five minutes. I think that's what I'm hearing. We really want to hear their concerns, their proposals, their recommendations and their stories, which is fair.

I want to make sure I'm understanding, Madam Gaudreau, that you are proposing that we would use the one hour to hear the individuals. Again, we do have people who have been scheduled. Sometimes, unfortunately, they are not able to attend. We do have individuals coming. Not all are veterans, but it's important to hear the perspective of the people we have reached.

Ms. Gaudreau, you are proposing that we hold a one-hour meeting on December 4.

Is that correct?

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

I propose that we hold a one-hour meeting to hear from the witnesses. If we have five witnesses, that would be 25 minutes, so they could exceed their allotted time. I propose that we use a one-hour block to hear testimony, and that we do a single round of questions. That is all. I propose that we do it in one hour.

[The Chair, Liberal, Marie-France Lalonde]

Are we in agreement?

We have to leave. I do not have resources anymore.

Go ahead, Mr. Richards.

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

I'm generally, as a compromise, in agreement with that. I think it's important that the witnesses be able to have their say. The only thing I would add is that, if for some reason the testimony goes quite long, I would want to make sure that, if we have to take a little more than an hour for one round of questions.... We need at least a minimum of one round of questions. That's all I would say.

[The Chair, Liberal, Marie-France Lalonde]

That's exactly what Madame Gaudreau had asked, so you're in agreement?

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

Generally, yes.

[The Chair, Liberal, Marie-France Lalonde]

Is that okay with everyone?

Mr. Casey, please go ahead.

[Sean Casey, Liberal, Charlottetown, PE]

The remainder of the meeting would be used for drafting instructions...?

[The Chair, Liberal, Marie-France Lalonde]

The analyst tells me that it is possible.

Yes, we could start drafting instructions in the second hour or so, based on how that first round goes.

Perfect.

[Sean Casey, Liberal, Charlottetown, PE]

I feel compelled to say this. I think we should be able to trust one another when we give our word in this place. I also think that when the witness lists are submitted, there is a priority given to them—all of the Conservatives' witnesses, who were the higher priority, per their ranking, have been heard from.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Marie-France Lalonde]

Actually, there was an overwhelming, imbalanced approach on this one, but we really wanted to make sure that we not only met our 40%, but exceeded....

Okay, so our next meeting will be on Tuesday, December 2. We will meet to discuss the supplementary estimates (B) for 2025-26. We will be joined by the Minister of Veterans Affairs and officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs. On December 4, we will use our first hour, plus or minus, for them, and our second hour for drafting instructions.

Is it the will of the committee to adjourn the meeting?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.