ACVA Committee Meeting
Notices of Meeting include information about the subject matter to be examined by the committee and date, time and place of the meeting, as well as a list of any witnesses scheduled to appear. The Evidence is the edited and revised transcript of what is said before a committee. The Minutes of Proceedings are the official record of the business conducted by the committee at a sitting.
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Minutes of Proceedings
Pursuant to Standing Order 81(5), the committee commenced consideration of the Supplementary Estimates (B), 2020-21: Votes 1b and 5b under Department of Veterans Affairs, referred to the committee on Thursday, October 22, 2020.
The Chair called Vote 1 under Department of Veterans Affairs and Vote 1 under Veterans Review and Appeal Board.
The Minister made a statement and, with Walter Natynczyk, answered questions.
By unanimous consent, the Chair called Vote 5 under Department of Veterans Affairs.
Votes 1 and 5 under Department of Veterans Affairs and Vote 1 under Veterans Review and Appeal Board carried on division.
ORDERED, — That the Chair report Votes 1 and 5 under Department of Veterans Affairs and Vote 1 under Veterans Review and Appeal Board, less the amounts voted in the Interim Estimates, to the House.
By unanimous consent, the Chair called Votes1b and 5b under Department of Veterans Affairs.
Votes 1b and 5b under Department of Veterans Affairs carried on division.
ORDERED, — That the Chair report Votes 1b and 5b under Department of Veterans Affairs, less the amounts voted in the Interim Estimates, to the House.
At 12:07 p.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 12:16 p.m., the sitting resumed.
The witnesses made statements and answered questions.
At 12:47 p.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 12:49 p.m., the sitting resumed.
John Brassard moved, — That this committee is disappointed with the lack of progress shown by the government in clearing the backlog of applications for veterans disability benefits and reports this motion to the House.
Debate arose thereon.
Andy Fillmore moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words "with the lack of progress shown by the government in clearing the backlog of applications for veterans disability benefits" with the following: "with the previous government’s decision to cut jobs within Veterans Affairs Canada and to close veteran services offices around the country, as far too many veterans are awaiting far too long for their application to be processed".
At 2:35 p.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 2:45 p.m., the sitting resumed.
After debate, by unanimous consent, the amendment was withdrawn.
Marie-France Lalonde moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “with the lack of progress shown by the government in clearing the” with the words “in the” and add after the word “House” the following: “and that the government provide a response”.
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Marie-France Lalonde and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:
YEAS: William Amos, James Bezan, Rachel Blaney, John Brassard, Colin Carrie, Luc Desilets, Andy Fillmore, Marie-France Lalonde, Darrell Samson, Kyle Seeback — 10;
NAYS: Sean Casey — 1.
After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to.
The motion, as amended, reads: “That the committee is disappointed in the backlog of applications for veterans disability benefits and report this to the House, and that the government provide a response.”
It was agreed, — That, in the context of the committee’s review of the Royal Canadian Legion and other Veteran Organizations and their financial health during and after COVID-19, Members submit their witness lists to the clerk of the committee no later than Wednesday, November 18, 2020.
At 3:06 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.