Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Security and Defence
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Monday, October 18, 2004
(1)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day at 3:02 p.m. in room 160-S, Centre Block, for the purpose of holding its organizational meeting, pursuant to rule 88.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Atkins, Banks, Cordy, Day, Forrestall, Kenny, Lynch-Staunton, Meighen and Munson (9).
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Grant Dawson and Liam Price, Analysts.
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to rule 88, the Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Chair.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Forrestall that the Honourable Senator Kenny do take the Chair of this Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Clerk invited Senator Kenny to take the Chair.
The Chair presided over the election of the Deputy Chair.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Day that the Honourable Senator Forrestall be the Deputy Chair of this Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Meighen:
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the Deputy Chair, and one other member of the Committee, to be designated after the usual consultation; and
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 adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Banks:
That the committee print its proceedings; and
That the Chair be authorized to set the number to meet demand.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was 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 adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Forrestall 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 adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Atkins:
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; and
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 adopted.
It was 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 adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Atkins 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 adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Forrestall that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to:
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
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 adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Banks that, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witness 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 adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Munson 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 adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Banks:
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, Forrestall, Kenny and Meighen;
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; and
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 adopted.
At 3:20 p.m., pursuant to rule 92(3)(e), the committee proceeded in camera, in room 160-S (Subcommittee Room) to consider a draft agenda.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Banks, that the Chair be authorized to seek authority of the Senate for the following order of reference:
That the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence be authorized to examine and report on the national security policy of 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 and prevent a national emergency or attack, and the capability of the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness to carry out its mandate;
(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 and critical infrastructure.
That the papers and evidence received and taken during the Thirty-seventh Parliament be referred to the committee;
That the committee report to the Senate no later than March 31, 2006 and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize the findings of the committee until May 31, 2006.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The committee discussed a draft work plan.
At 4:55 p.m. the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Monday, October 25, 2004
(2)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day in camera, at 5:10 p.m., in room 160-S (Subcommittee), Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Colin Kenny, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Atkins, Banks, Cordy, Forrestall, Kenny and Munson (6).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Nolin (1).
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Grant Dawson and William Price, Analysts; Kevin Pittman, Committees Directorate; Captain (N) Kenneth Stewart; and General (R) Keith McDonald.
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
In accordance with rule 92(2)(e), the committee considered its draft agenda.
At 7:14 p.m., the committee suspended its sitting.
At 7:34 p.m., the committee resumed its sitting in public in room 160-S, Centre Block.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, October 20, 2004, the committee began its examination on the national security policy for Canada.
WITNESS:
Department of National Defence:
Kenneth J. Calder, Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy).
The Chair made an opening statement.
Kenneth Calder made a presentation and answered questions.
At 9:07 p.m., the committee suspended its sitting.
At 9:13 p.m., the committee resumed its sitting in camera in room 160-S (Subcommittee), to consider its draft agenda in accordance with rule 92(2)(e).
At 9:40 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, October 27, 2004
(3)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day, at 12:20 p.m., in room 172-E, Centre Block, the Deputy Chair, the Honourable J. Michael Forrestall, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Atkins, Cordy, Forrestall, Kenny and Nolin (5).
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Grant Dawson and William Price, Analysts; and Kevin Pittman, Legislative Clerk, Committees Directorate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, October 20, 2004, the committee continued its examination on the national security policy for Canada.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Cordy that the following budget application for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2005 be concurred in; and
That the Chair submit same to the Standing Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.
| Professional and other services: | $ 138,000 |
| Transportation and Communications: | $ 443,600 |
| All other expenses: | $ 28,600 |
| TOTAL: | $ 610,200 |
After debate, The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 12:30 p.m., Senator Kenny assumed the Chair.
At 12:48 p.m., the committee proceeded in camera to consider its draft agenda in accordance with rule 92(2)(e).
At 1:23 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Daniel Charbonneau
Clerk of the Committee