ACVA Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs met in camera at 11:01 a.m. this day, in Room 268, La Promenade Building, the Chair, Royal Galipeau, presiding.

It was agreed, — 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.

It was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, a second member from the government and the Parliamentary Secretary.

It was agreed, — That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence and to have that evidence printed when a quorum is not present, provided that at least three (3) members are present, including one member of the opposition and one member of the government.

It was agreed, — That witnesses be given ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement; that, at the discretion of the Chair, during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated five (5) minutes for questioners in a first round of questions as follows: Official Opposition, Government Party, Third Party, Government Party, Official Opposition, Government Party and Government Party; that in a second round of questions, four (4) minutes be allocated to questioners as follow: Official Opposition, Government Party, Official Opposition, Government Party and the Third Party; and that, if time permits, further rounds shall repeat the pattern of the first two rounds at the discretion of the Chair.

It was agreed, — That only the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute documents to members of the Committee and only when such documents exist in both official languages and that witnesses be advised accordingly.

It was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the Committee and its Subcommittees.

It was agreed, — That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses not exceeding two (2) representatives per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for less or more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair.

It was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by, and be responsible for, one staff person at in camera meetings and, in addition, each party shall be permitted to have one staff member from a House Officer attend in camera meetings.

It was agreed, — That one copy of the transcript of each in camera meeting be kept in the Committee Clerk’s office for consultation by Members of Parliament.

It was agreed, — That 48 hours’ notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee, and that the notice of motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and distributed to members in both official languages; and, that completed motions that are received by the close of business shall be distributed to members the same day.

It was agreed, — That whenever a minister is appearing before the Committee, every effort should be made in order for this meeting to be televised.

It was agreed, — That the Committee proceed to sit in public.

At 12:17 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:20 p.m., the sitting resumed in public.

Parm Gill moved, — That unanimous consent be granted to waive the 48 hours notice requirement for consideration of a motion.

The question was put on the unanimous consent request to waive the 48 hours notice requirement for consideration of the motion and, one member having voted against, the unanimous consent request was denied on the following recorded division: YEAS: Sylvain Chicoine, Corneliu Chisu, Parm Gill, Laurie Hawn, Bryan Hayes, Wladyslaw Lizon, Ben Lobb, José Nunez-Melo, John Rafferty, Peter Stoffer — 10; NAYS: Jim Karygiannis — 1.

Parm Gill gave notice of the following motion:

— That, in an effort to educate new members and existing members of our Committee on how our government has made substantial investment totalling almost $5 billion new dollars since 2006, the Committee invite officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs to appear on November 7, 2013. During this meeting, members will be able to question officials on each and every facet of the Veterans Affairs $2.6 billion of programs, benefits and services which the ombudsman himself noted as significant.

By unanimous consent, on motion of Parm Gill, it was agreed, — That pursuant to the Government's commitment to commemorating the enormous sacrifices made by the Canadians and our allies, and given last year's members from all parties paid tribute and remembered those who lost their lives in the service of Canada at a similar ceremony at the National War Memorial, in place of our Committee's planned meeting on November 5, instead we shall invite our colleagues who sit in the other place and all our caucus members to attend a special remembrance ceremony at the National War Memorial on November 5, at 11 a.m.

It was agreed, — That, for the meeting of November 5, 2013, the clerk be instructed to find a room for the Committee to meet from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

At 12:42 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.