NDVA Committee Meeting
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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
(Revised - May 27, 1999)
Meeting No. 90
Thursday, February 18, 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: Hec Clouthier, Gordon Earle, Maurice Godin, Peter Goldring, René Laurin, Pat O'Brien, John O'Reilly, David Pratt, George Proud, John Richardson and Bob Wood.
Acting Members present: Janko Peric for Judi Longfield and Elsie Wayne for David Price.
In attendance: From the Library of Parliament: Wolf Koerner and Corinne McDonald, Research Officers.
Witnesses: From the Library of Parliament: Wolf Koerner; Corinne McDonald.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference of the House of February 12, 1999, study of Bill C-61, an Act to amend the War Veterans Allowance Act, the Pension Act, the Merchant Navy Veteran and Civilian War-related Benefits Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs Act, the Veterans Review and Appeal Board Act and the Halifax Relief Commission Pension Continuation Act and to amend certain other Acts in consequence thereof
The Committee proceeded to the consideration of the proposed motion of Elsie Wayne, read as follows:
- That the Standing Committee on National Defence and Veterans Affairs recommend that the Merchant Navy Veterans be recognized as war veterans, that they receive prisoner of war benefits, that they receive a one time payment in lieu of benefits afforded to other veterans of World War II and that they be recognized as veterans on ceremonial days.
After debate, it was agreed to table the motion until after hearing the witnesses on the Merchant Navy Veterans.
On motion of Elsie Wayne, it was agreed, - That the Committee commence its hearings with the Merchant Navy Veterans before the Easter recess.
The Committee proceeded to the suspended motion by René Laurin, read as follows:
- That the National Defence Department tables before the National Defence and Veterans Affairs Committee all the flight logs related to its Challenger and Air Bus fleet from February 1st to February 9th, 1999.
The motion was agreed to.
Peter Goldring moved, - That, provided all other Veterans organizations are in agreement not to appear as witnesses on Bill C-61, the Committee agree to immediately move to Clause by Clause consideration of Bill C-61, as it is an important Bill for all Veterans, including the Merchant Navy, and it has the support of all Parties;
As a condition of passage of the first paragraph, I further would move that this Committee agree to undertake a separate study of the Merchant Navy compensation issue before the Parliamentary summer recess, including hearing from those Veterans Organisation's witnesses that have previously asked to appear, and that a Report with recommendations be prepared and presented to Parliament in a timely manner.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was agreed to, on division.
The Committee proceeded to Clause-by-Clause consideration of Bill C-61.
On Clause 1
Clauses 1 to 47 carried severally.
On Clause 48
Maurice Godin moved, - That Bill C-61 be amended by adding after line 31 on page 36 the following new clause:
"48.1 All payments of allowance or other benefits under the Pension Act or the War Veterans Allowance Act in respect of a merchant navy veteran of World War I or World War II or a Canadian merchant navy veteran of the Korean War are payable for a period beginning on the day on which that veteran would have otherwise first become entitled to the payment if the provisions of this Act had been in force on the date of commencement of World War I, World War II or the Korean War, as the case may be."
The Chairman ruled the amendment out of order by citing sub-paragraph 698(7) of Beauchesne's 6th Edition.
Clause 48 carried, on division.
Clauses 49 and 50 carried.
The Title carried.
Bill C-61 carried, on division.
Ordered, - That the Chair report Bill C-61 to the House.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee resumed its study of the Contracting and Procurement Policy.
The Researchers answered questions.
At 9:50 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
Eugene Morawski
Clerk of the Committee