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

At 9:02 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 9:04 a.m., the sitting resumed in public.

Dane Lloyd moved, — That the committee invite the Veterans Ombudsman, at his earliest convenience, and officials from Veterans Affairs Canada to give testimony and answer questions related to changes in mental health services for families of veterans, given recent media reports that family members of veterans are being denied ongoing coverage for previously covered mental health treatments.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 10; NAYS: 1.

At 9:25 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 9:29 a.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

It was agreed, — That the First Report from the subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, which read as follows, be concurred in:

Your subcommittee met on Thursday, February 20, 2020, to consider the business of the committee and agreed to make the following recommendations:

1. That, pursuant to Standing Order 81(5), the committee undertake the study of the Supplementary Estimates (B) 2019-20; and that the committee invite the Minister of Veterans Affairs and departmental officials to appear.

2. That, as its first order of business and pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study of the backlog of pending veteran disability benefit applications at Veterans Affairs Canada; and that no fewer than 4 meetings be devoted to that study.

3. That, as its second order of business and pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study of federal supports and services to Canadian veterans’ caregivers and families; that the committee report its findings to the House with recommendations on how the government could improve those services and supports to better meet the unique needs of veterans’ caregivers and families; and that no fewer than 3 meetings be devoted to the study.

4. That, as its third order of business and pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study of: (a) the efficacy and use of psychiatric service dogs by Canadian Armed Forces veterans to alleviate the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); (b) the resources required by Veterans Affairs Canada to implement access to psychiatric service dogs; (c) the challenges associated with housing faced by veterans with a psychiatric service dog; and (d) what should constitute minimum national standards for the training of PTSD Psychiatric Service Dogs; and that no fewer than 3 meetings be devoted to the study.

5. That, as its fourth order of business and pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study of a long-term Canadian strategy for commemorations, which recognizes and honours the service, sacrifice, and achievements of all Canadian veterans; takes into consideration future events, monuments, memorials, graves and cemeteries both at home and abroad; that the committee invite officials from Veterans Affairs Canada, interested stakeholders and Canadian veterans, educators, and other partners; that the committee report its findings to the House with recommendations to the government on the best way forward in the 21st century to inspire and educate Canadians and citizens around the world to recognize the service and sacrifice of all who have served our country; and that no fewer than 3 meetings be devoted to the study.

It was agreed, — That members send their suggested lists of witnesses to the clerk no later than Friday, February 28, 2020, at 12:00 p.m.