Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Security and Defence
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Monday, November 13, 2007
(1)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day at 8:00 a.m. in room 9, Victoria Building, for the purpose of holding its organizational meeting, pursuant to rule 88.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Banks, Day, Kenny, Mitchell, Moore, Nancy Ruth and Tkachuk (7).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Nolin (1).
In attendance: Shaila Anwar, Co-clerk of the committee, Committees Directorate.
Also present: reporters of the Senate.
The clerk of the committee presided over the election of the chair.
The Honourable Senator Tkachuk moved 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.
The Honourable Senator Kenny moved that the Honourable Senator Tkachuk be the deputy chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Moore moved:
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.
The Honourable Senator Banks moved:
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.
The Honourable Senator Day moved:
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.
The Honourable Senator Moore moved:
That the committee adopt the draft first report, prepared in accordance with rule 104.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Banks moved:
That the committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign analysts 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.
The Honourable Senator Mitchell moved:
That, pursuant to section 32 of the Financial Administration Act, and section 7, Chapter 3:06 of the Senate Administrative Rules, 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 section 8, Chapter 3:06 of the Senate Administrative Rules, 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.
The Honourable Senator Banks moved:
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.
The Honourable Senator Tkachuk moved:
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 an 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.
The Honourable Senator Tkachuk moved:
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.
The Honourable Senator Mitchell moved:
That the chair be authorized to seek permission from the Senate to permit coverage by electronic media of the committee's 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.
The Honourable Senator Tkachuk moved:
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 Day, Meighen, Kenny, Nancy Ruth and Banks.
That the subcommittee 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, and section 7, Chapter 3:06 of the Senate Administrative Rules, the committee's authority to commit funds be conferred on the subcommittee; and
That, pursuant to section 34 of the Financial Administration Act and section 8, Chapter 3:06 of the Senate Administrative Rules, the committee's authority for certifying accounts payable be conferred on the subcommittee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Banks moved that the committee proceed in camera to consider a draft agenda.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 8:24 a.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee proceeded in camera to discuss its agenda (future business).
It was agreed that senators' staff be permitted to remain in the room.
It was agreed 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:
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;
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;
the mechanisms to review the performance and activities of the various agencies involved in intelligence gathering; and
the security of our borders and critical infrastructure;
That the papers and evidence received and taken and work accomplished by the committee on this subject since the beginning of the First session of the Thirty-seventh Parliament be referred to the committee; and
That the committee report to the Senate no later than March 31, 2009 and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings until 90 days after the tabling of the final report.
It was agreed 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 undertake a study on:
a) the services and benefits provided to members of the Canadian Forces, veterans of war and peacekeeping missions and members of their families in recognition of their services to Canada;
b) the commemorative activities undertaken by the Department of Veterans Affairs to keep alive for all Canadians the memory of the veterans achievements and sacrifices; and
c) the implementation of the recently enacted Veterans Charter;
That the committee report to the Senate from time to time, no later than March 31, 2009.
It was agreed that the clerk of the committee respond on behalf of the committee to the invitation to meet with a delegation from the Federal Council of the Republic of Austria on Monday, November 26, 2007.
At 8:45 a.m. the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Gaëtane Lemay
Clerk of the Committee
OTTAWA, Monday, November 19, 2007
(2)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day in camera at 4:33 p.m., in room 705, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Colin Kenny, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Banks, Day, Kenny, Mitchell, Meighen, Moore, Nancy Ruth, Tkachuk and Zimmer (9).
In attendance: Gaëtane Lemay, Co-clerk of the committee, Committees Directorate; Steven James and Melissa Radford, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee considered its draft agenda.
It was agreed that senators' staff be permitted to remain during the in camera meeting.
The chair informed the committee that, after the usual consultations, the Honourable Senator Banks will serve as the third member on the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure.
At 6:34 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Shaila Anwar
Clerk of the Committee
OTTAWA, Monday, November 26, 2007
(3)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day at 4:05 p.m., in room 705, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Colin Kenny, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Banks, Day, Kenny, Meighen, Mitchell, Moore, Nancy Ruth, Tkachuk and Zimmer (9).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Nolin (1).
In attendance: Shaila Anwar, Co-clerk of the committee, Committees Directorate; Steven James and Melissa Radford, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, November 20, 2007, the committee began its study on the national security policy of Canada.
Pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee met in camera to consider its draft agenda.
The Honourable Senator Day moved:
That senators' staff be permitted to remain during the in camera portion of the meeting.
After debate, the motion was adopted, on division.
The Honourable Senator Meighen moved:
That the order of reference regarding veterans affairs adopted by the Senate on November 20, 2007, be delegated to the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 5:17 p.m., the committee continued in public.
The Honourable Senator Banks moved:
That the following special study budget application (national security policy of Canada) be adopted:
| Professional Services and Other | $ 118,500 |
| Transportation and Communications | $ 350,600 |
| Other Expenditures | $ 30,500 |
| Total | $ 499,600 |
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to review the proposed itinerary of the trip and to revise the budget expenditures downward to reflect the actual number of travellers; and
That the chair submit the revised expenditures to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 5:18 p.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee continued in camera to consider its draft agenda.
It was agreed that senators' staff be permitted to remain during the in camera portion of the meeting.
At 6:25 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Gaëtane Lemay
Clerk of the Committee