Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Security and Defence

Issue 8 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Monday, April 28, 2008
(14)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day, at 4:11 p.m., in room 705, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Colin Kenny, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Banks, Comeau, Day, Kenny, Mitchell, Moore, Nancy Ruth, Tkachuk and Zimmer (9).

In attendance: Gaëtane Lemay, Co-clerk of the Committee, Committees Directorate; Melissa Radford, Maureen Shields and Jason Yung, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament; Barry Denofsky, National Security Advisor; Major-General (ret) Keith McDonald, Senior Military Advisor and Captain (N) John Gardam, DND Liaison Officer.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, November 20, 2007, the committee continued its study on the national security policy of Canada. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 1.)

The chair made opening remarks.

The Honourable Senator Banks moved:

That the committee proceed in camera to consider its draft agenda.

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

At 4:16, pursuant to rule 92 (2)(e), the committee proceeded in camera to consider its draft agenda.

It was moved:

That the committee allow the transcription of this in camera meeting and that only one copy of the un-edited transcript be kept for consultation by committee members in the committee clerk's office and that the transcript be destroyed by the clerk at the end of this parliamentary session.

It was moved that the motion be amended by adding today's date.

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

Resuming debate on the motion, as amended:

That the committee allow the transcription of this in camera meeting of April 28, 2008 and that only one copy of the un-edited transcript be kept for consultation by committee members in the committee clerk's office and that the transcript be destroyed by the clerk at the end of this parliamentary session.

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

It was moved:

That only the following committee staff be permitted to remain in the room for in camera proceedings, unless a motion to the contrary is passed: the clerks, analysts from the Library of Parliament, research consultants on contract, interpreters required by the Official Languages Act, the console operator, liaison officers and the pages.

After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted, on division.

It was agreed, on division, that senators' staff be authorized to remain in the room during the in camera portion of this meeting.

It was agreed that the committee report on its recent fact-finding mission to Landstuhl Regional Medical Centre.

It was agreed that the chair sign and send, on behalf of the committee, a letter to the employer of Malgarai Ahmadshah, asking that his request for an extension of his secondement to the Joint Task Force — Afghanistan be considered.

The committee considered a draft legislative budget and a draft special study budget.

It was agreed that the following material be filed as exhibits with the clerk of the committee:

Response to questions taken on notice during the last Parliament regarding the Public Safety Portfolio response to recommendations listed in various committee reports, dated February 21, 2008. (Exhibit 5900-2.39/N2-SS-1-8, 8,''9'')
Response to questions taken on notice at the January 28, 2008 appearance of Scott Broughton, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Public Safety Canada, dated April 16, 2008. (Exhibit 5900-2.39/N2-SS-1-8, 8,''10'')
Documents entitled Common Alerting Protocol v.1.1, and Draft Common Alerting Protocol Canadian Profile, submitted by Industry Canada in response to the committee's request for additional information at the February 4, 2008 meeting regarding public alerting. (Exhibit 5900-2.39/N2-SS-1-8, 8,''11'')
Eight-point emergency management work plan news release and update, submitted by Industry Canada in response to the committee's request for additional information at the February 4, 2008 meeting regarding public alerting. (Exhibit 5900-2.39/N2-SS-1-8, 8,''12'')
Document entitled Public Alerting in Canada at a Glance, an inventory of alerting systems in provinces and municipalities, submitted by Industry Canada in response to the committee's request for additional information at the February 4, 2008 meeting regarding public alerting. (Exhibit 5900-2.39/N2-SS-1-8, 8,''13'')

It was moved:

That the committee recognize that, when the chair provides factual information about the committee, its work and its reports, it is understood that he is doing so on behalf of the committee; and

That when the chair refers to anything stated in past committee reports, or to anything that can be reasonably inferred from these reports, he be deemed to be speaking on behalf of the committee.

After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted, on division.

At 5:30 p.m., the committee resumed its sitting in public.

The Honourable Senator Day moved:

That the following legislative budget application, for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009, be approved for submission to the Standing Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration:

Professional and other services:   $ 8,000

Transportation and Communications:   0

All other expenses:   250

TOTAL:   $ 8,250

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

The Honourable Senator Day moved:

That the following special study budget application for the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs, for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009, be approved for submission to the Standing Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration:

Professional and other services:   $ 19,600

Transportation and Communications:   20,251

All other expenses:   12,000

TOTAL:   $ 51,851

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

The Honourable Senator Banks moved:

That the clerk of the committee be authorized to certify as payable the account for expenses incurred by the chair for a trip to Montreal on April 17 and 18, 2008, for the purpose of speaking at a graduation dinner for the RCMP's Leadership in Counter-Terrorism Course, and that the cost in the amount of $320.03 be applied to the "Promotion of reports, meetings and other matters related to committee business'' activity; and

That the clerk of the committee be authorized to certify as payable the account for expenses incurred by the chair for a trip to Toronto on April 21 and 22, 2008, for the purpose of meeting with reporters from The Toronto Star and the National Post in order to promote work of the committee, and that the cost in the amount of $1,748.72 be applied to the "Promotion of reports, meetings and other matters related to committee business'' activity.

After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted, on division.

The Honourable Senator Banks moved:

That the committee authorize the chair to travel on its behalf to Vancouver and Calgary, on a date to be determined later, to meet with representatives from the Vancouver Sun, the Vancouver Province; the Calgary Sun; the Calgary Herald; and to meet with officers at CFB Esquimalt, with representatives from University of Calgary's Centre for Military and Strategic Studies and other individuals interested in the committee's work as available;

That the chair be considered on official business for the purposes of the Senators Attendance Policy;

That the cost of the expenses incurred be applied to the "Promotion of reports, meetings and other matters related to committee business'' activity; and

That the chair present the committee with a proposed budget for his travel expenses at the next meeting.

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

It was agreed that the committee continue its sitting in camera.

At 5:47 p.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(f), the committee proceeded in camera to consider a draft report.

At 5:50 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:59 p.m., the committee resumed consideration of a draft report.

It was agreed that the communications officer be permitted to remain for this in camera portion of the meeting.

It was agreed that the committee not visit the White House on its upcoming fact-finding mission to Washington.

The committee resumed consideration of a draft report.

At 8:36 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Shaila Anwar

Clerk of the Committee

OTTAWA, Monday, May 5, 2008
(15)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day, at 4:09 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, Moore, Nancy Ruth, Peterson, Tkachuk and Zimmer (9).

In attendance: Shaila Anwar, Co-clerk of the Committee, Committees Directorate; Melissa Radford, Maureen Shields and Jason Yung, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament; Barry Denofsky, National Security Advisor; Major-General (ret) Keith McDonald, Senior Military Advisor; Captain (N) John Gardam, DND Liaison Officer; Superintendant Lindsey Brine, RCMP Liaison Officer; Dan Turner, writer.

The chair made opening remarks.

The Honourable Senator Banks moved:

That the committee proceed in camera to consider its draft agenda, pursuant to rule 92(2)(e).

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

Pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee proceeded to consider its agenda.

It was agreed, on division, that the communications officer assigned to the committee be authorized to remain in the room for all in camera proceedings.

It was moved:

That the committee allow the transcription of this in camera meeting and that only one copy of the un-edited transcript be kept in the committee clerk's office for consultation by committee members, and that the transcript be destroyed by the clerk at the end of this parliamentary session.

It was moved that the motion be amended by deleting the words ", and that the transcript be destroyed by the clerk at the end of this parliamentary session.''

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

Resuming debate on the motion, as amended:

That the committee allow the transcription of this in camera meeting and that only one copy of the un-edited transcript be kept in the committee clerk's office for consultation by committee members.

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

It was agreed that the committee undertake a series of hearings involving the Vice Chief of Defence Staff (LGen Natynczyk), the Commander of Naval Staff (VAdm Robertson), the Commander of Land Staff (LGen Leslie), the Commander of Air Staff (LGen Watt), the Commander of CEFCOM (LGen Gauthier) and the Commander of CANCOM (VAdm McFadden) in order to review the business plans that they prepared earlier this year; and that the committee shall prepare a report on these hearings.

It was agreed that the committee authorize the chair to travel on its behalf to Toronto, on a date to be determined later, to meet with representatives from the Toronto Sun and The Globe and Mail; and to meet with representatives of the Metro Toronto Police and CSIS; and

That the chair be considered on official business for the purposes of the Senators Attendance Policy; and

That the cost of the expenses, in an amount not to exceed $2,000, be applied to the "Promotion of reports, meetings and other matters related to committee business'' activity.

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

It was agreed that the committee authorize Senator Kenny and Senator Day to travel on its behalf to Kingston, on May 14-15, 2008, to attend the Royal Military College graduation ceremony; and

That the senators be considered on official business for the purposes of the Senators Attendance Policy; and

That the cost of the expenses incurred, in an amount not to exceed $1,182, be applied to the "Promotion of reports, meetings and other matters related to committee business'' activity.

It was agreed that an estimate of expenses, in the amount of $5590, for a trip to Calgary and Vancouver authorized pursuant to a motion adopted by the committee on April 28, 2008, be approved.

At 4:45 p.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(f) the committee continued in camera to consider a draft report.

At 6:15 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 6:22 p.m., the committee resumed.

At 8:29 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Gaëtane Lemay

Clerk of the Committee

OTTAWA, Monday, May 12, 2008
(16)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day, at 4:07 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, Moore, Nancy Ruth, Tkachuk and Zimmer (8).

It was agreed that, pursuant to rule 92(2)(e) the committee sit in camera, to consider a draft agenda.

It was agreed that the committee allow the transcription of this in camera meeting and that only one copy of the un- edited transcript be kept in the committee clerk's office for consultation by committee members.

It was agreed that the committee reschedule its fact-finding mission to Washington D.C., to have taken place from May 19-23, 2008, to a date to be determined by the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, after consultation with committee members.

At 4:27 p.m., the committee proceeded to sit in public.

The Honourable Senator Banks moved:

That the committee authorize the chair to certify as payable, the invoice for Jessica Post, dated April 30, 2008, in the amount of $3,750, from the committee's budget.

After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted, on division.

The Honourable Senator Tkachuk moved:

That a request for authorization to travel, with an estimate of expenses, be submitted by all committee members, to the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure for their consideration, prior to travel on behalf of the committee.

After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was negatived, on division.

The Honourable Senator Tkachuk moved:

That the committee authorize the deputy chair to travel on its behalf to Toronto on a date to be determined later, to meet with representatives from the Toronto Sun, the National Post and The Globe and Mail;

That the deputy chair be considered on official business for the purposes of the Senators Attendance Policy; and

That the cost of the expenses incurred be applied to the "Promotion of reports, meetings and other matters related to committee business'' activity.

After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted, on division.

At 5:00 p.m., pursuant to rule 92 (2)(f), it was agreed that the committee continue its sitting in camera for consideration of a draft report.

At 6:56 p.m. the committee suspended.

At 7:13 p.m. the committee resumed.

At 8:56 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Shaila Anwar

Clerk of the Committee

OTTAWA, Monday, May 26, 2008
(17)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day, at 4:01 p.m., in room 705, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Colin Kenny, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Banks, Kenny, Mitchell, Moore, Nancy Ruth, Tkachuk and Zimmer (7).

In attendance: Shaila Anwar, Co-clerk of the Committee, Committees Directorate; Melissa Radford, Maureen Shields and Jason Yung, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament; Barry Denofsky, National Security Advisor; Major-General (ret) Keith McDonald, Senior Military Advisor; Superintendant Lindsey Brine, RCMP Liaison Officer; Sergeant Patrick Walsh, Ottawa Police Service; Dan Turner, writer.

It was agreed that, pursuant to rule 92(2)(e) the committee sit in camera, to consider a draft agenda.

It was moved that senators' staff be authorized to remain in the room during this in camera meeting.

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

It was moved that the transcriptions of any in camera meetings of the committee be destroyed by the clerk of the committee at the end of this parliamentary session.

After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

It was agreed that the committee allow the transcription for this in camera meeting and that only one copy of the un-edited transcript be kept in the committee clerk's office for consultation by committee members and that the transcript be destroyed by the clerk at the end of this parliamentary session.

At 4:07 p.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(f), the committee considered a draft report.

At 7:01 p.m., it was moved that the meeting adjourn.

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

At 8:44 p.m., it was moved:

That the draft report on Afghanistan be adopted; and

That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to make the changes that were discussed and approved today, as well as the minor typographical and grammatical corrections deemed necessary, without however modifying the substance of the report; and

That the chair table this report in the Senate at the earliest opportunity.

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

It was agreed that the following material be filed as exhibits with the clerk of the committee:

Response to a request for information regarding the total number of casualties the Canadian Forces have incurred since 2002. (Exhibit 5900-2.39/N2-SS-1-8, 8,''14'')

Response to a request for information regarding the total number of deployed personnel in Afghanistan since 2001. (Exhibit 5900-2.39/N2-SS-1-8, 8,''15'')

Response to a request for information regarding the Taliban letter given to Afghans working on the Route Foster development project (Exhibit 5900-2.39/N2-SS-1-8, 8,''16'')

At 9:03 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Gaëtane Lemay

Clerk of the Committee

Professional and other services:	$ 8,000
Transportation and Communications:	0
All other expenses:	250
TOTAL:	$ 8,250

Professional and other services:	$ 19,600
Transportation and Communications:	20,251
All other expenses:	12,000
TOTAL:	$ 51,851

Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence

Issue 8 - Minutes of Proceedings

Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Security and Defence