Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Security and Defence

Issue 9 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Monday, September 28, 2009
(17)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day, in camera, at 4:00 p.m., in room 705, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Colin Kenny, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Kenny, Lang, Manning, Meighen, Tkachuk, Wallin (6).

In attendance: 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)(f), the committee commenced its consideration a draft report.

It was agreed that senators' staff be permitted to remain in the room during the in camera portion of the meeting.

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

The chair made an opening statement.

At 4:05 p.m., the Honourable Senator Tkachuk replaced the Honourable Senator Lang as a member of the committee.

It was agreed that the committee invite additional witnesses regarding its study on Transformation in the RCMP, prior to completing its report and that the names of potential witnesses be provided to the clerk of the committee as soon as possible this week.

At 4:23 p.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee considered its draft agenda.

It was agreed that one analyst from the Library of Parliament be included in the fact-finding trip to visit border posts in British Columbia, taking place from September 29 - October 2, 2009.

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

Response from the Minister of Public Safety to a question taken on notice at the June 1, 2009 meeting, regarding the transformation of the RCMP.
(Exhibit 5900-2.40/N2-SS-1-7, 9, "8'')
Response from the Canadian Border Services Agency to a question taken on notice at the June 22, 2009 meeting, regarding port running and personnel.
(Exhibit 5900-2.40/N2-SS-1-7, 5, "9'')

At 4:35 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

OTTAWA, Monday, October 5, 2009
(18)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day at 4:01 p.m., in room 2, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Colin Kenny, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Day, Banks, Kenny, Lang, Manning, Mitchell, Moore, Nolin, Tkachuk, Wallin and Zimmer (11).

In attendance: Holly Porteous and Martin Auger, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament; Inspector Larry Brookson, RCMP liaison officer; Barry Denofsky, National Security Advisor; Major-General (ret'd) Keith McDonald, Senior Military Advisor; Lieutenant-Colonel Marc Saint-Yves, DND Liaison Officer; Maureen Boyd, media relations advisor; and Dan Turner, writer and communications advisor.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

WITNESSES:

RCMP Reform Implementation Council:

Beverley A. Busson, Member;

David McAusland, Chair.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police:

Peter D. Martin, Deputy Commissioner, Chief Human Resources Officer.

The chair made an opening statement.

Mr. McAusland, Ms. Busson and Mr. Martin answered questions.

At 4:18 p.m., the Honourable Senator Banks replaced the Honourable Senator Mitchell as a member of the committee.

At 4:20 p.m., the Honourable Senator Tkachuk replaced the Honourable Senator Nolin as a member of the committee.

The Honourable Senator Banks moved:

That the committee extend the time of the public hearing portion of the meeting by an additional fifteen minutes in order to allow all committee members the chance to ask questions.

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

The Honourable Senator Day moved:

That the committee proceed in camera, pursuant to rule 92(2)(f), in order to consider a draft report; and

That all committee advisors be permitted to remain during the in camera portion of the meeting; and

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

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

At 6:05 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 6:10 p.m. the committee resumed, in camera, pursuant to rule 92 (2)(f), to consider a draft report.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, it was moved:

That the committee do now adjourn in order to allow the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure to convene in order to discuss the draft agenda (future business) of the committee.

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

At 6:45 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

OTTAWA, Monday, October 19, 2009
(19)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day at 4:02 p.m., in room 2, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Colin Kenny, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Banks, Day, Kenny, Lang, Manning, Moore, Nolin, Tkachuk, Wallin and Zimmer (10).

Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Mitchell (1).

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

WITNESSES:

Royal Canadian Mounted Police:

Assistant Commissioner Roger L. Brown, Commanding Officer, Depot Division;

Chief Superintendant Bob Smart, Training Officer, Depot Division.

The chair made an opening statement.

Mr. Brown and Mr. Smart answered questions.

At 5:35 p.m., the Honourable Senator Tkachuk replaced the Honourable Senator Lang as a member of the committee.

At 5:47 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:56 p.m. the committee resumed.

The Honourable Senator Moore moved:

That the committee proceed in camera in order to consider a draft report;

That all committee advisors/senator's staff be permitted to remain in the room during the in camera portion of the meeting;

That all electronic devices be turned to the "off'' position; and

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

At 5:57 p.m., the committee continued in camera, pursuant to rule 92 (2)(f), in order to consider a draft report.

It was agreed that the following materiel be filed as an exhibit with the clerk of the committee:

A survey of Canadians' Views of RCMP Services, Survey results for 2006-2009 (Exhibit 5900-2.40/N2-SS-1, 9 "8'').

It was agreed that the Honourable Senator Nolin will review the final translation of the draft report, when it had been agreed upon by the committee, in order to ensure the concordance of the text in both official languages.

It was agreed that the draft report be amended to reflect the comments made by committee members at this meeting and that the amended report be reviewed by the committee at a future meeting.

At 7:26 p.m., it was agreed that the committee do now adjourn to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Shaila Anwar

Clerk of the Committee

Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence

Issue 9 - Minutes of Proceedings

Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Security and Defence