Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Security and Defence
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, October 23, 2002
(1)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day at 6 p.m. in room 505, Victoria Building, for the purposes of holding its organization meeting, pursuant to rule 88.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Atkins, Banks, Cordy, Forrestall, Kenny, Smith and Wiebe (7).
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
Election of Chair
Pursuant to rule 88, the Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Chair.
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Atkins, — That the Honourable Senator Kenny be Chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
The clerk invited the Chair elect to take the Chair.
The Chair presided over the election of the Deputy Chair.
Election of Deputy Chair
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Smith, — That the Honourable Senator Forrestall be Deputy Chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Forrestall,—
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the Deputy Chair, and Honourable Senator Cordy;
That the subcommittee be empowered to make decisions on behalf of the committee with respect to its agenda, to invite witnesses, and to schedule hearings.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
Motion to print the Committee's Proceedings
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Forrestall, —
That the committee print 200 copies of its proceedings; and
That the Chair be authorized to set the number to meet demand.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
Authorization to hold meetings and to print evidence when quorum is not present
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Banks, — That, pursuant to rule 89, the Chair be authorized to hold meetings, to receive and authorize the printing of the evidence when a quorum is not present, provided that a member of the committee from both the government and the opposition be present.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
Financial Report
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Cordy, — That, pursuant to rule 104, the Chair be authorized to report expenses incurred by the committee during the last session.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
Research Staff
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Cordy, —
That the committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign research officers to the committee;
That the Chair be authorized to seek authority from the Senate to engage the services of such counsel and technical, clerical, and other personnel as may be necessary for the purpose of the committee's examination and consideration of such bills, subject-matters of bills, and estimates as are referred to it;
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to retain the services of such experts as may be required by the work of the committee; and
That the Chair, on behalf of the committee, direct the research staff in the preparation of studies, analyses, summaries, and draft reports.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
Authority to commit funds and certify accounts
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Banks, —
That, pursuant to section 32 of the Financial Administration Act, authority to commit funds be conferred individually on the Chair, the Deputy Chair, and the Clerk of the Committee; and
That, pursuant to section 34 of the Financial Administration Act, and Guideline 3:05 of Appendix II of the Rules of the Senate, authority for certifying accounts payable by the Committee be conferred individually on the Chair, the Deputy Chair, and the Clerk of the Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
Travel
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Smith, — That the committee empower the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure to designate, as required, one or more members of the committee and/or such staff as may be necessary to travel on assignment on behalf of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
Designation of Members Travelling on Committee Business
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Forrestall, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to:
1. determine whether any member of the committee is on ``official business'' for the purposes of paragraph 8(3)(a) of the Senators' Attendance Policy, published in the Journals of the Senate on Wednesday, June 3, 1998; and
2. consider any member of the committee to be on ``official business'' if That member is: (a) attending a function, event or meeting related to the work of the committee; or (b) making a presentation related to the work of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
Traveling and living expenses of witnesses
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Banks, — That, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witnesses expenses, the committee may reimburse reasonable traveling and living expenses for one witness from any one organization and payment will take place upon application, but that the Chair be authorized to approve expenses for a second witness should there be exceptional circumstances.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
Electronic media coverage of public meetings
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Wiebe, —
That the Chair be authorized to seek permission from the Senate to permit coverage by electronic media of its public proceedings with the least possible disruption of its hearings; and
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to allow such coverage at its discretion.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Forrestall, —
That the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs be established to study matters relating to veterans affairs which may be referred to it from time to time by the committee;
That the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs consist of five (5) members, three (3) of whom shall constitute a quorum;
That the initial membership of the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs be as follows: the Honourable Senators Atkins, Day, Kenny, Meighen, Wiebe and
That substitution in membership be communicated to the Clerk of the subcommittee;
That the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs be authorized to send for persons, papers and records, whenever required, and to print from day to day such papers and evidence as may be ordered by it;
That, subject to the approval of the Senate, the committee's power to permit coverage by electronic media of meetings be conferred on the subcommittee;
That, pursuant to Section 32 of the Financial Administration Act, the committee's authority to commit funds be conferred on the subcommittee;
That, pursuant to Section 34 of the Financial Administration Act and Guideline 3:05 of Appendix II of the Rules of the Senate, the committee's authority for certifying accounts payable be conferred on the subcommittee;
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
Future Business of the Committee
At 6:35 p.m., the committee proceeded in camera to consider a draft agenda.
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Banks, —
That the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence be authorized to examine and report on the need for a national security policy for Canada. In particular, the committee shall be authorized to examine:
(a) the capability of the Department of National Defence to defend and protect the interests, people and territory of Canada and its ability to respond to or prevent a national emergency or attack;
(b) the working relationships between the various agencies involved in intelligence gathering, and how they collect, coordinate, analyze and disseminate information and how these functions might be enhanced;
(c) the mechanisms to review the performance and activities of the various agencies involved in intelligence gathering; and
(d) the security of our borders.
That the papers and evidence received and taken during the First Session of the Thirty-seventh Parliament be referred to the committee;
That the committee report to the Senate no later than February 28, 2004, and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize the findings of the committee until March 31, 2004; and
That the committee be permitted, notwithstanding usual practices, to deposit any report with the Clerk of the Senate, if the Senate is not then sitting; and that the report be deemed to have been tabled in the chamber.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
Adjournment
At 6:40 p.m. the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Monday, October 28, 2002
(2)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day, in camera, at 5:05 p.m. in room 160-S (Subcommittee Room), Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Senator Kenny presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Atkins, Day, Forrestall, Kenny, Meighen and Wiebe (6).
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Grant Purves, Research Officer; Major General (Ret'd) Keith McDonald, Senior Military Adviser and Mr. Paul Dingledine, National Security Adviser.
The committee proceeded to consider a draft agenda.
At 8:15 p.m. the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Monday, November 4, 2002
(3)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day, at 9:50 a.m. in room 160-S (Subcommittee Room), Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Colin Kenny, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Atkins, Cordy, Day, Kenny, Meighen and Smith (6).
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Grant Purves, Research Officer and John Christopher; Mr. Paul Dingledine, National Security Adviser.
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
The committee considered its future business in camera.
At 10:05 a.m. the committee suspended its sitting.
At 10:10 a.m. the committee continued its meeting in public in room 160-S.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, October 30, 2002, the committee proceeded upon its examination on the need for a national security policy for Canada.
WITNESSES:
As an individual:
Mr. Chuck Wilmink, Consultant.
From Air Canada Pilots Association:
Captain Don Johnson, President;
Captain Matt Sheehy, Chairman, Security Committee;
First Officer Russ Cooper, Toronto Representative, Security Committee.
The Clerk, a person appointed by the Speaker of the Senate to administer an oath to witnesses pursuant to the Parliament of Canada Act, R.S.C. 1985, C. P-1, S. 13(1)(c), administered the oath to Mr. Wilmink in the form prescribed by the act.
Mr. Wilmink made a statement and responded to questions.
The Clerk, a person appointed by the Speaker of the Senate to administer an oath to witnesses pursuant to the Parliament of Canada Act, R.S.C. 1985, C. P-1, S. 13(1)(c), administered the oath to Captain Johnson, Captain Sheehy and First Officer Cooper in the form prescribed by the Act.
Captain Johnson made a statement and, along with Captain Sheehy and First Officer Cooper responded to questions.
At 11:34 a.m. the committee suspended its sitting.
At 11:40 a.m. the committee continued its sitting.
Pursuant to the motion adopted by the committee on Monday, October 28, 2002, the following material was filed as exhibits with the Clerk.
. [``Airline Security — A Security Professional's View'' by Chuck Wilmink] (Exhibit 5900-2.37/N2-SS-1, 1 ``1'')
. [``Air Canada Pilot's Association (ACPA) Opening Statement'' by Captain Don Johnson, President, Air Canada Pilots Association] (Exhibit 5900-2.37/N2-SS-1, 1 ``2'')
. [``Air Canada Pilot's Association Security Committee'' by First Officer Russ Cooper, Co-Chair] (Exhibit 5900- 2.37/N2-SS-1, 1 ``3'')
At 1:10 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Monday, November 4, 2002
(4)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day, in camera, at 1:15 p.m. in room 160-S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Colin Kenny, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Atkins, Cordy, Day, Kenny, Meighen and Smith (6).
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Grant Purves, Research Officer; Mr. Paul Dingledine, National Security Adviser; Mark Audcent, Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel; Michel Patrice, Parliamentary Advisor.
The committee considered its future business.
At 3:12 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Barbara Reynolds
Clerk of the Committee