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NDVA Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 8

Thursday, November 25, 1999

The Standing Committee on National Defence and Veterans Affairs met at 9:00 a.m. this day, in Room 362, East Block, the Chair, Pat O'Brien, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Robert Bertrand, Hec Clouthier, Jim Hart, René Laurin, Judi Longfield, Paul Mercier, Pat O'Brien, Janko Peric, David Pratt, George Proud, Elsie Wayne and Bob Wood.

In attendance: From the Library of Parliament: Wolf Koerner and Corinne McDonald, Research Officers.

Witnesses: From the Department of National Defence: Gen Maurice Baril, Chief of the Defence Staff; Vadm. Gary L. Garnett, Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff; Lt-Gen V.M. Caines, Assistant Deputy Minister, Human Resources - Military; Col Ian C. Poulter, Project Director, Project Management Office, Quality of Life.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee resumed consideration of its study on the mandate of the Department of National Defence.

General Maurice Baril made an opening statement and, with the witnesses, answered questions.

At 10:09 o'clock a.m., the Committee proceeded to the consideration of future business.

On motion of Elsie Wayne, it was agreed, - That the Chair send a letter to the Minister of Veterans Affairs outlining the Committee's views on the issue of compensation for Merchant Navy veterans.

David Pratt moved, - That the Committee adopt the following resolution:

Whereas the Government's White Paper on Defence from 1994 calls on the Canadian Forces to play a vital role in protecting Canadian sovereignty, maintaining collective security through NATO and NORAD, providing support to United Nations peacekeeping operations, search and rescue, disaster relief and humanitarian assistance;

And whereas, the Department of National Defence budget has been reduced by 23 per cent against original projections since Budget '94 in order to meet the Government's important deficit reduction strategy;

And whereas, in comparison to our principal allies, Canadian defence expenditures have fallen sharply from 1.7 per cent of GDP in 1993-94 to 1.15 per cent of GDP in 1999-2000 with the NATO average being 2.1 per cent of GDP

And whereas, our international commitments in places like Bosnia, Kosovo and East Timor in support of peace and human security have increased to the point where we have one of the largest contingents of troops deployed abroad since the Korean War;

And whereas, the Canadian Forces continue to experience problems with respect to housing, quality of life issues, troop fatigue based upon increased deployments, ageing equipment in need of replacement and the loss of key capabilities;

Be it resolved that the Standing Committee on National Defence and Veterans Affairs (SCONDVA) request the Government of Canada to embark upon a five-year plan for the revitalization and modernization of the Canadian Forces which would substantially increase the budget of the Department of National Defence as a percentage of GDP.

After debate, Mr. Laurin moved, - That the resolution be amended by adding after the word "Forces" in paragraph 6, the following:

  1. "that would reassess government objectives"
  2. by deleting the words "which would substantially increase" in paragraph 6 and replacing them by the following:

"before increasing"

After debate, the question being put on the amendment, it was negatived on the following show of hands:

YEAS: 2

NAYS: 9

And the question being put on the main motion, the resolution, as amended, was agreed to on the following show of hands:

YEAS: 9

NAYS: 2

Ordered, - That the Chair table the resolution, as amended, as the Committees First Report to the House.

It was agreed, - That the Clerk prepare costing outlines for travel to the U.S. and P.E.I. for this session.

At 10:50 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

 

 

 

Eugene Morawski
Clerk of the Committee