►Bill S-2 and Bill C-54 are expected on today's agenda.
Introduced several times by the Conservatives in previous parliaments but never passed before dissolution, S-2 deals with on-reserve rules for matrimonial property rights in case of death, break-up, or domestic violence. Advocates say the changes will improve safety for aboriginal women and girls.
Bill C-54 would reform how an accused person is designated "not criminally responsible," with public safety the paramount consideration.
►Debate also continues on a motion from Liberal Whip Judy Foote on the Last Post Fund, which helps offset funeral costs for veterans without sufficient financial means:
That, in the opinion of the House, the Last Post Fund is currently underfunded and excludes deserving veterans causing unnecessary stress and hardship to families of veterans, and that the House call on the government to do the following:
(a) accept the recommendations of successive Veteran Ombudsmens’ calling for expanded and enhanced financial access to the Last Post Fund;
(b) accept the advice from the Royal Canadian Legion made in the years 2008, 2010, and 2012 calling for expanded access and financial support for the Last Post Fund;
(c) accept three year old advice from departmental officials to expand and enhance financial access to the Last Post Fund;
(d) review the Last Post Fund’s current burial assistance cap of $3,600 with the goal to establish a standard consistent with burial assistance provided to current members of the Canadian Forces;
(e) review the “means tested” standard applied to the Last Post Fund that currently excludes many veterans with the goal to improve and lower the qualification standard to access the Fund; and
(f) provide stable long term funding to the Last Post Fund with consideration given to establish a financial escalator tied to the Consumer Price Index.
The March budget promised an extra $65 million over two years for the Veterans Affair Funeral and Burial Program to double the reimbursement rate from $3,600 to $7,376.
-Andrew Thomson
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