ACVA Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs met at 8:50 a.m. this day, in Room 237-C, Centre Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Peter Stoffer, it was agreed, — That Greg Kerr be elected Chair of the Committee.

By unanimous consent, the Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Vice-Chairs.

On motion of Sean Casey, it was agreed, — That Peter Stoffer be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Eve Adams, it was agreed, — That Sean Casey be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Greg Kerr took the Chair.

Peter Stoffer moved, — 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.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 10; NAYS: 0.

On motion of Eve Adams, 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.

On motion of Eve Adams, 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.

Eve Adams moved, — 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: New Democratic Party, Conservative Party, Liberal Party, Conservative Party, New Democratic Party, Conservative Party and Conservative Party; that in a second round of questions, four (4) minutes be allocated to questioners as follows: New Democratic Party, Conservative Party, New Democratic Party and Conservative Party; and that, if time permits, further rounds shall repeat the pattern of the first two rounds at the discretion of the Chair.

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

On motion of Eve Adams, 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.

On motion of Eve Adams, 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.

Eve Adams moved, — 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.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

Eve Adams moved, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at in camera meeting and, in addition, each party shall be permitted to have one staff member from a House Officer attend in camera meetings.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

On motion of Eve Adams, 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.

On motion of Eve Adams, 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.

Peter Stoffer moved, — That whenever a minister is appearing before the Committee, the meeting should be televised.

Debate arose thereon.

On motion of Eve Adams, it was agreed, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “the meeting should be televised” with the words “every effort should be made in order for this meeting to be televised”.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

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

On motion of Peter Stoffer, it was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee follow up with the Chair of the Veterans Review and Appeal Board regarding the request made by the members of the Committee to obtain the curriculum vitae of the members that sit on the Board.

On motion of Wladyslaw Lizon, it was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee prepare a document explaining how the Committee’s activities are funded and that this document be sent to the members of the Committee.

At 9:21 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.