I stand corrected.
Evidence of meeting #82 for Veterans Affairs in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was process.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #82 for Veterans Affairs in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was process.
A recording is available from Parliament.
12:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
I'm welcoming any interventions.
For now, we have Mr. Desilets and after that, Mr. Richards.
Go ahead, Mr. Desilets.
12:40 p.m.
Bloc
Luc Desilets Bloc Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I believe we're all aware of what has circulated in the newspapers in recent days regarding the remarks made by a member of the jury. In any event, there should be some written documents on the subject. That's one of the requests that we made under the Access to Information Act. It's not a problem.
It must be noted that the jury's selection was reached by a majority decision, not a unanimous one. I would also note that four of the seven people on the jury were from Veterans Affairs Canada.
With that, Mr. Chair, I would like to go to a vote so that no one delays the process and we can move this matter forward. This motion was introduced two months ago.
12:40 p.m.
Liberal
Randeep Sarai Liberal Surrey Centre, BC
Thank you.
I think this amendment by Mr. Casey is important. We've had recent reports that there was a perception that the jury was unanimous in its opinion. It turns out it was not. In fact, one of the lay veteran representatives on that jury was dismayed by the decision. It would be good to understand why and what their opinions were, especially with them being veterans.
As we saw, most of the survey results preferred the design by indigenous designer Adrian Stimson. I think, in fact, there was a quote. Someone wished to share it: “Whoooooohooooooo! You made my year! Maybe my decade!!!!” Mr. Windsor, who was one of the jury members, said that. I think that was in the records in some of the correspondence going back and forth.
I think it's very important to understand how they deliberated. Were the interests of the veterans or the views of the veterans taken into consideration? What artistic representation best reflected a veteran and a veteran's contribution and sacrifices?
In support of Mr. Casey's amendment, I think it's very important that we include those documents.
12:45 p.m.
Liberal
Sean Casey Liberal Charlottetown, PE
Very briefly, I want to thank Mr. Desilets for his support for this amendment because it is he who said during a debate in the House that the jury's decision was unanimous. Now he says that wasn't the case. This underscores how important it is to have these documents.
12:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
Since there will be more interventions, we will put Mr. Casey's amendment to a vote.
Do we have unanimous consent to adopt Mr. Casey's amendment?
12:45 p.m.
An hon. member
I request a recorded vote.
12:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
We will therefore proceed accordingly.
(Amendment negatived: nays 6; yeas 5)
12:45 p.m.
Liberal
12:45 p.m.
Liberal
Bryan May Liberal Cambridge, ON
Just again, on a point of order, Mr. Chair, do we now go back to the original speaking list?
12:45 p.m.
Liberal
Bryan May Liberal Cambridge, ON
Okay. That's fair enough.
I'd like to consider, Mr. Chair, a second amendment. First of all, I'm disappointed that none of the information that is available to us—especially what came about this weekend—is going to be talked about in this motion. I find that very interesting—
12:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
Mr. May, I must interrupt you. There is a point of order.
Go ahead, Mr. Desilets.
12:45 p.m.
Bloc
Luc Desilets Bloc Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
Mr. Chair, I know you were looking elsewhere, and I waited until the last vote to raise my hand. I looked to the other side, and I saw that I had the right to vote.
I think they're trying to extend—
12:45 p.m.
Liberal
12:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
That's true, Mr. Desilets. As I told you, I looked down at the same time as the clerk—
12:45 p.m.
Bloc
Luc Desilets Bloc Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
That can happen. Both of you were looking down, but I had my head up so I could look the other way.
12:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
We didn't see that you had raised your hand. Pardon me.
We will take special care in future to notice raised hands in the room.
February 12th, 2024 / 12:45 p.m.
Bloc
Luc Desilets Bloc Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
Mr. Chair, can we go back to what I was saying? I don't know if anyone else managed to see it on your side.
They're trying to extend the debate, but I want to advance the debate quickly. I also have an amendment to introduce.