Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Security and Defence
Issue 4 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Monday, April 20, 2009
(6)
[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, Comeau, Day, Kenny, Nolin, Martin, Meighen, Mitchell, Tkachuk and Zimmer (10).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Downe (1).
In attendance: Allison Goody, and Martin Auger, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, March 5, 2009, 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. 2).
Pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee commenced in camera to consider its draft agenda.
It was agreed that staff be permitted to remain in the room for the in camera portions of today's meeting.
At 4:15 p.m. the committee continued in public.
The Honourable Senator Day moved that:
Whereas the Prime Minister has supported the creation of a free standing committee on Veteran Affairs in the House of Commons to replace a subcommittee on Veteran Affairs;
And whereas a standing committee on Veteran Affairs has been created in that place;
And whereas it is the desire expressed by some honourable Senators to likewise create a standing committee on Veteran Affairs in the Senate of Canada;
And whereas a standing committee would have its own budget and meeting times for the deliberation of matters relating to its mandate;
And whereas the growing importance of Veteran Affairs issues calls out for a standing committee dedicated to such issues in the Senate of Canada;
And whereas such a committee on Veteran Affairs is needed to deal with the growing and critical issues of support for the physical and mental health of returning military and civilian personnel from battle zone deployment and support for the families of those so injured;
Now therefore the Senate Standing Committee on National Security and Defence does hereby authorize and direct the chair of the committee to move a motion in the Senate to initiate an amendment to the Rules of the Senate to transfer matters relating to Veteran Affairs from the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence to a new Standing Committee to be established and dedicated to those matters;
And that should the Senate refer this matter to the Committee on Rules, Procedures, and the Rights of Parliament, to examine and report on the amendments to the Rules of the Senate required to establish a separate standing committee dedicated to matters related to Veterans affairs, having regard to the urgency of such matters, such report shall be made to the Senate as their earliest convenience.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Day moved that:
Whereas the Prime Minister has supported the creation of a free standing committee on Veteran Affairs in the House of Commons to replace a subcommittee on Veteran Affairs;
And whereas a standing committee on Veteran Affairs has been created in that place;
And whereas it is the desire expressed by some honourable Senators to likewise create a standing committee on Veteran Affairs in the Senate of Canada;
And whereas a standing committee would have its own budget and meeting times for the deliberation of matters relating to its mandate;
And whereas the growing importance of Veteran Affairs issues calls out for a standing committee dedicated to such issues in the Senate of Canada;
And whereas such a committee on Veteran Affairs is needed to deal with the growing and critical issues of support for the physical and mental health of returning military and civilian personnel from battle zone deployment and support for the families of those so injured;
Now therefore the Senate Standing Committee on Security and Defense does hereby authorize and direct the chair of the Committee to move a motion in the Senate to initiate an amendment to the Rules of the Senate to transfer matters relating to Veteran Affairs from the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defense to a special committee to be established and dedicated to those matters.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Banks, Day, Kenny, Mitchell and Zimmer — 5
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Meighen, Nolin and Tkachuk — 3
ABSTENTIONS
The Honourable Senators
Nil
At 5:20 p.m. the Honourable Senator Martin replaced the Honourable Senator Manning as a member of the committee.
The Honourable Senator Nolin moved:
That a subcommittee on veterans affairs be established to study matters which may be referred to it by the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Martin, Meighen, Nolin and Tkachuk — 4
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Banks, Day, Kenny, Mitchell and Zimmer — 5
ABSTENTIONS
The Honourable Senators
Nil
The Honourable Senator Banks moved:
That the committee begin to discuss its priorities and its potential work plan and what other business might then arise.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 5:30 p.m. the committee proceeded to discuss a draft agenda.
At 6:22 p.m. the committee suspended.
At 6:30 p.m. the committee resumed.
The Honourable Senator Day moved:
That the committee accept in principle the draft work plan for April, May and June, 2009, with authority being given to the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure to revise and work on the details.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 7:06 p.m., the Honourable Senator Tkachuk moved:
That the meeting be adjourned.
The question being put on the motion, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Meighen, Nolin and Tkachuk — 3
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Banks, Day, Kenny, Mitchell and Zimmer — 5
ABSTENTIONS
The Honourable Senators
Nil
At 7:08 p.m., it was agreed that the committee proceed in camera in order to discuss a draft budget.
It was agreed that one copy of the in camera transcript be kept in the office of the clerk of the committee, for consultation by committee members and that the copy be destroyed at the end of this parliamentary session.
At 7:10 p.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(d) and (f), the committee considered other personnel matters and a draft report (budget).
It was agreed that a meeting of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be called for Tuesday April 21, 2009.
It was agreed that a notice of meeting be issued for Wednesday, April 22, 2009 and that the clerk of the committee inform the whips of the committee's intention to call a meeting.
At 8:16 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Monday, April 27, 2009
(7)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day at 4:08 p.m., in room 705, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Colin Kenny, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Banks, Fairbairn, P.C., Kenny, Meighen, Mitchell, Moore, Tkachuk and Wallin (8).
In attendance: Allison Goody and Martin Auger, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, March 5, 2009, 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. 2).
The committee considered a draft agenda.
The Honourable Senator Kenny moved:
That a subcommittee on veterans affairs be established to study matters which may be referred to it by the committee and that Senator Meighen be appointed the chair of the subcommittee.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Tkachuk moved:
That the membership of the subcommittee be two members of the Government and three members of the Opposition, to be determined after consultation with the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, three of whom shall constitute a quorum.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Banks moved:
That, pursuant to rule 89, the committee's authority to hold meetings, to receive and authorize the printing of the evidence when a quorum is not present be conferred on the subcommittee;
That, pursuant to rule 90, the committee's authority 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, be conferred on the subcommittee;
That the committee's authority 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, be conferred on the subcommittee;
That, pursuant to section 7, Chapter 3:06 of the Senate Administrative Rules, the committee's authority to commit funds be conferred on the subcommittee;
That, pursuant to section 8, Chapter 3:06 of the Senate Administrative Rules, the committee's authority for certifying accounts payable be conferred on to the subcommittee;
That the committee's authority, pursuant to paragraph 8(3)(a) of the Senators Attendance Policy, be conferred on the subcommittee;
That, the committee's power to permit coverage by electronic media of its public meetings be conferred on the subcommittee; and
That, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witness expenses, the authority of the committee to reimburse reasonable travelling and living expenses for witnesses, be conferred on the subcommittee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Moore moved:
That the chair seek the authority of the Senate, for the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence to study:
(a) services and benefits provided to members of the Canadian Forces; to veterans who have served honourably in Her Majesty's Canadian armed forces in the past; to members and former members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and its antecedents; and all of their families;
(b) commemorative activities undertaken by the Department of Veterans Affairs Canada, to keep alive for all Canadians, the memory of Canadian veterans' achievements and sacrifices; and
(c) continuing implementation of the New Veterans Charter.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 4:30 p.m., the committee considered a draft budget.
The Honourable Senator Banks moved:
That the draft budget be adopted.
Debate arose thereon.
It was agreed that the committee move in camera in order to consider the General Expenses envelope contained in the draft budget.
It was agreed that one copy of the in camera transcript be kept in the office of the clerk of the committee, for consultation by committee members and that the copy be destroyed at the end of this parliamentary session.
At 4:45 p.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(d) and (f), the committee continued in camera to consider other personnel matters and a draft report (budget).
At 5:27 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:29 p.m., the committee resumed in public.
With leave, it was agreed that the Honourable Senator Banks withdraw his motion.
It was agreed that the committee consider its draft budget in sections, by each activity envelope.
The Honourable Senator Banks moved:
That the General Expenses envelope, contained in the budget application for the committee for the fiscal year ending on March 31, 2010, in the amount of $185,500, be approved.
The Honourable Senator Tkachuk moved:
That the motion be amended by deleting line item number 2, "communications consultant'', in the amount of $39,000 and by deleting line item number 5, "writer-consultant'', in the amount of $50,000.
The question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived, on division.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Banks, Fairbairn, Kenny, Mitchell and Moore — 5
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Meighen, Tkachuk and Wallin — 3
ABSTENTIONS
The Honourable Senators
Nil
The Honourable Senator Wallin moved:
That the following activities, contained in the budget application for the committee for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010 be approved:
Activity 1 $ 85,980
Activity 2 $ 54,400
Activity 3 $ 23,538
Activity 4 $ 23,688
Activity 5 $ 24,788
Activity 6 $ 7,867
Activity 7 $ 20,688
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Banks moved:
That the Activity 8 envelope, contained in the budget application for the committee for the fiscal year ending on March 31, 2010, in the amount of $64,996, be approved.
Debate arose thereon.
The Honourable Senator Tkachuk moved:
That the motion be amended by replacing "$64,996'' with "$32,498.''
The question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived, on division.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Banks, Fairbairn, Kenny, Mitchell and Moore — 5
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Meighen, Tkachuk and Wallin — 3
ABSTENTIONS
The Honourable Senators
Nil
The Honourable Senator Moore moved:
That the Activity 9 envelope, contained in the budget application for the committee for the fiscal year ending on March 31, 2010, in the amount of $50,000, be approved.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted, on division.
The Honourable Senator Banks moved:
That the following budget application for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010 be approved for submission to the Standing Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration:
Professional and Other Services | $ 204,100 |
Transportation and Communications | 303,345 |
All Other Expenditures | 34,000 |
TOTAL | $ 541,445 |
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted, on division.
The committee continued to discuss a draft agenda (future business).
At 6:16 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Shaila Anwar
Clerk of the Committee