The witness made a statement and answered questions.

At 4:16 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:22 p.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

The committee resumed consideration of a draft report.

It was agreed, — That the draft report, as amended, be adopted.

It was agreed, — That the report be entitled: "Canadian Armed Forces Health Care and Transition Services".

It was agreed, — That the Chair, clerk and analysts be authorized to make such grammatical and editorial changes as may be necessary without changing the substance of the report.

It was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee request that the government table a comprehensive response to the report.

It was agreed, — That dissenting or supplementary opinions be in Calibri 12-point font, left aligned, single-spaced, and be submitted electronically, in both official languages, to the clerk of the committee, not later than 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 9, 2023.

ORDERED, — That the Chair present the report to the House.

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

At 4:39 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:42 p.m., the sitting resumed in public.

The committee resumed consideration of the motion of James Bezan moved on Thursday, October 26, 2023, which read as follows:

That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study of the almost‑one‑billion dollar cuts to the Canadian Armed Forces and the impact this will have; that the committee hold a minimum of three meetings on the topic; that the committee invite the President of the Treasury Board, the Minister of National Defence, and the Chief of the Defence Staff to appear before the committee; and that the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House.

and of the amendment of Marie-France Lalonde moved on Thursday, October 26, 2023, which read as follows:

That the motion be amended by replacing every word after the word "That" with the following:

''Whereas, Budget 2023 announced reductions in spending on consulting, other professional services, and travel;

Whereas, these reductions will not impact direct benefits and service delivery to Canadians, direct transfers to other orders of government and Indigenous communities, and the Canadian Armed Forces;

That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study on all Defence expenditures since 2013 and their impacts of the operational readiness of the Canadian Armed Forces;

That the committee hold a minimum of three meetings for this study and that the committee invite the Minister of National Defence, the Chief of the Defence Staff, and the Deputy Minister of the Department of National Defence to appear before the committee for the study; and that the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House.''.

At 4:44 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:48 p.m., the sitting resumed.

By unanimous consent, the amendment of Marie-France Lalonde was withdrawn.

By unanimous consent, the motion of James Bezan was withdrawn.

On motion of Lindsay Mathyssen, it was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study on the contracting of consulting services and other professional services within the Canadian Armed Forces, including the impact of the reductions announced in budget 2023;

That the committee hold a minimum of two meetings for this study;

That the committee invite the Minister of National Defence, the President of the Treasury Board, the Commander of the Canadian Forces Real Property Operations Group, the Deputy Minister of National Defence, the Assistant Deputy Minister (Finance), the Assistant Deputy Minister (Infrastructure and Environment), and the Assistant Deputy Minister (Review Services).

Andy Fillmore moved, — That pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study on space defense that includes but is not limited to: The current state of Canadian space defense capabilities and programs; international agreements and partnerships related to space defense, including continental defense and space diplomacy; and the impact of advancements in space on Canada’s sovereignty and national security;

That the committee hold a minimum of four meetings and that the committee invite representatives of the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Armed Forces, the 3 Canadian Space Division, Canadian NORAD Region, the Canadian Space Agency, Space Canada, and the private and academic sectors;

That the committee report its recommendations to the House and that, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a detailed response to the report.

Debate arose thereon.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study on space defense that includes but is not limited to: The current state of Canadian space defense capabilities and programs; international agreements and partnerships related to space defense, including continental defense and space diplomacy; and the impact of advancements in space on Canada’s sovereignty and national security;

That the committee hold a minimum of three meetings and that the committee invite representatives of the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Armed Forces, the 3 Canadian Space Division, Canadian NORAD Region, the Canadian Space Agency, Space Canada, and the private and academic sectors;

That the committee report its recommendations to the House and that, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a detailed response to the report.

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

Lindsay Mathyssen moved, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study into transparency of the Department and National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces, that includes but is not limited to: The Access to Information and Privacy System; the independence of the office of the Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces Ombudsman; the declassification system for historic documents; whistleblower protections; the independence of the Grievance process; and information management systems.

That the committee invite the Canadian Armed Forces Chief of Defence Staff, the Corporate Secretary at the Department of National Defence, the Minister of National Defence, the Information Commissioner, the National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces Ombudsman, the chairperson of the Military Grievance and External Review Committee, veterans and veteran advocates.

Debate arose thereon.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study into transparency of the Department and National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces, that includes but is not limited to: The Access to Information and Privacy System; the independence of the office of the Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces Ombudsman; the declassification system for historic documents; whistleblower protections; the independence of the Grievance process; and information management systems; and that the committee hold a minimum of three meetings on this topic.

That the committee invite the Deputy Minister of National Defence, the Corporate Secretary at the Department of National Defence, the Minister of National Defence, the Information Commissioner, the National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces Ombudsman, the chairperson of the Military Grievance and External Review Committee, veterans and veteran advocates.

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

James Bezan moved, — That the committee report to the House of Commons that:

(a) The current state of morale of the Canadian Armed Forces is at an unprecedented low;

(b) Lapses in defence spending and budget cuts have left our soldiers understaffed, under equipped and without a sufficient supply of affordable housing;

(c) Military families and Canadian Armed Forces members have resorted to using food banks and asking for donations to help them deal with the high cost of living.

Therefore, the committee recognize the morale crisis is the result of a lack of political will and investment, leaving members feeling more undervalued and underappreciated than at any point in recent history, and recommend urgent action by the Canadian government.

Debate arose thereon.

Marie-France Lalonde moved, — That the debate be now adjourned.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 6.

Debate continued.