Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Security and Defence

Issue 3 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Monday, November 18, 2002
(5)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day, at 4:20 p.m. in room 520, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Colin Kenny, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Atkins, Banks, Forrestall, Kenny, Meighen, Smith and Wiebe (7).

In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Grant Purves, Research Officer and John Christopher, Research Officer, Major General (Ret'd) Keith McDonald, Senior Military Adviser; Mr. Paul Dingledine, National Security Adviser.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

The committee considered its future business in camera, in room 520, Victoria Building.

At 5:05 p.m. the Deputy Chair presided.

At 5:10 p.m. the Chair presided.

At 5:55 p.m. the committee suspended its sitting.

At 6:00 p.m. the committee continued its meeting in public in room 705, Victoria Building.

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:

From the Office of the Auditor General of Canada:

Sheila Fraser, Auditor General of Canada;

Shahid Minto, Assistant Auditor General;

Peter Kasurak, Principal.

From the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE):

Richard Balnis, Senior Research Officer;

France Pelletier, Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, Airline Division.

The Chair presented the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal to the Clerk, Mrs. Barbara Reynolds, and to Major General Keith McDonald.

Ms. Fraser made a statement and, along with Mr. Minto and Mr. Kasurak, responded to questions.

At 7:35 p.m. the committee suspended its sitting.

At 7:45 p.m. the committee continued its sitting.

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. Balnis and Ms. Pelletier in the form prescribed by the act.

Mr. Balnis made a statement and, along with Ms. Pelletier, responded to questions.

Pursuant to the motion adopted by the Committee on Monday, October 28, 2002, the following material was filed as exhibits with the Clerk.

[``CUPE's Comments on Aviation and Security'' by Richard Balnis, CUPE Research and France Pelletier, Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, Airline Division of CUPE] (Exhibit 5900-2.37/N2-SS-1, 3 ``8'')

[``Air Travel Security'' by Sheila Fraser, Auditor General of Canada] (Exhibit 5900-2.37/N2-SS-1, 3 ``9'')

At 9:10 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Barbara Reynolds

Clerk of the Committee