Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Security and Defence

Issue 10 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Monday, February 10, 2003
(19)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day, at 5:10 p.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, Banks, Cordy, Day, Forrestall, Kenny and Meighen (7).

In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Grant Purves, Research Officer; Major General (Ret'd) Keith McDonald, Senior Military Adviser; Chief Superintendent Jean-Pierre Witty, RCMP Liaison Officer; Veronica Morris, Communications Officer.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

The committee considered its future agenda in camera.

At 6:00 p.m., the committee suspended its sitting.

At 6:05 p.m., the committee continued its meeting in public in Room 160-S, Centre Block.

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. (See Issue No. 1, Monday, November 4, 2002, for the full text of the Order of Reference.)

WITNESSES:

From Canada Customs and Revenue Agency:

Mr. Denis Lefebvre, Assistant Commissioner, Customs Branch;

Mr. Earle Warren, Director General, Major Projects Design and Development Directorate, Customs Branch;

Mr. Mark Connolly, Director General, Contraband and Intelligence Services Directorate, Customs Branch.

From the Department of Health Canada:

Dr. Ron St. John, Executive Director, Centre for Emergency Preparedness and Response.

Mr. Lefebvre made a statement and with Mr. Warren and Mr. Connolly responded to questions.

At 8:15 p.m., the committee suspended its sitting.

At 8:20 p.m., the committee resumed its sitting.

Dr. St. John made a statement and 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.

• ["Smart Border Action Plan Update'' from Canada Customs and Revenue Agency] (Exhibit 5900-2.37/N2-SS-1, 10, "32'')
• ["Canada's Public health Security'' by R. St. John] (Exhibit 5900-2.37/N2-SS-1, 10, "33'')

At 9:25 p.m., the committee suspended its sitting.

At 9:50 p.m., the committee continued its meeting in camera in room 160-S (Subcommittee Room), Centre Block.

The committee considered its future agenda.

It was moved by the Honourable Senator Forrestall,— That the budget of Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs for year 2002-2003 be concurred in, and, — That the Chair submit same to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

It was moved by the Honourable Senator Forrestall, — That the budget of Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs for year 2003-2004 be concurred in, and, — That the Chair submit same to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

At 10:15 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

OTTAWA, Monday, February 17, 2003
(20)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day, at 5:00 p.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, Banks, Forrestall, Kenny, Smith, P.C. 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; Chief Superintendent Jean-Pierre Witty, RCMP Liaison Officer; Lieutenant-Colonel David Belovich, DND Liaison Officer; Veronica Morris, Communications Officer.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

The committee considered its future agenda in camera.

At 6:00 p.m., the committee suspended its sitting.

At 6:05 p.m., the committee continued its meeting in public in Room 160-S, Centre Block.

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. (See Issue No. 1, Monday, November 4, 2002, for the full text of the Order of Reference.)

WITNESSES:

From the Canadian Coast Guard:

Mr. Sylvain Lachance, A/Director General, Fleet;

Mr. Tim Meisner, Director, Policy and Legislation, Marine Programs.

From the Canadian Security Intelligence Service:

Mr. Ward Elcock, Director.

Mr. Meisner made a statement and with Mr. Lachance responded to questions.

At 7:34 p.m., the committee suspended its sitting.

At 7:40 p.m., the committee resumed its sitting.

Mr. Elcock made a statement and 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.

• ["Presentation to the Senate Standing Committee on National Security and Defence, by Canadian Coast Guard, February 17, 2003''] (Exhibit 5900-2.37/N2-SS-1, 10, "34'')

At 9:04 p.m., the committee suspended its sitting.

At 9:05 p.m., the committee continued its meeting in camera in room 160-S (subcommittee room), Centre Block.

The committee considered its future agenda.

At 9:25 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Barbara Reynolds

Clerk of the Committee