Proceedings of the Special Senate Committee on
Anti-terrorism

Issue 6 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Monday, July 5, 2010
(7)

[English]

The Special Senate Committee on Anti-terrorism met at 1 p.m. this day, in room 160-S, Centre Block, the chair, the Honourable Hugh Segal, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Baker, P.C., Dallaire, Furey, Jaffer, Nolin, Segal, Tkachuk and Wallin (8).

In attendance: Jennifer Bird and Dominique Valiquet, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, June 17, 2010, the committee continued its examination of Bill S-7, An Act to deter terrorism and to amend the State Immunity Act. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 5.)

WITNESSES:

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada:

David Sproule, Deputy Legal Adviser, Director General, Legal Affairs Bureau;

Hugh Adsett, Director, Criminal, Security and Diplomatic Law Division.

Canadian Coalition Against Terror:

Aaron Blumenfeld, Counsel;

Sheryl Saperia, Senior Advisor.

As an individual:

Victor D. Comras (by videoconference).

Public Safety Canada:

Agnès Lévesque, Counsel, Legal Services.

The chair made an opening statement.

Mr. Sproule made a statement and, with Mr. Adsett, answered questions.

At 2 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 2:05 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Blumenfeld and Ms. Saperia each made a statement and, together, answered questions.

Mr. Comras made a statement and answered questions.

At 3:12 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 3:13 p.m., the committee resumed.

Ms. Lévesque made a statement and answered questions.

At 3:27 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

OTTAWA, Monday, July 12, 2010
(8)

[English]

The Special Senate Committee on Anti-terrorism met at 1 p.m. this day, in room 2, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Hugh Segal, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Baker, P.C., Dallaire, Furey, Greene, Jaffer, Marshall, Patterson, Segal and Tkachuk (9).

In attendance: Dominique Valiquet and Anna Gay, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, June 17, 2010, the committee continued its examination of Bill S-7, An Act to deter terrorism and to amend the State Immunity Act. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 5.)

It was agreed that the committee discuss general draft observations before proceeding to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill S-7, An Act to deter terrorism and to amend the State Immunity Act.

The Honourable Senator Jaffer tabled a copy of three proposed amendments to the observations.

The Honourable Senator Tkachuk moved:

That the committee approve the observations, with the additions proposed by Senator Jaffer.

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

With leave and pursuant to rule 97(7.1), it was agreed to dispense with clause-by-clause consideration of Bill S-7, An Act to deter terrorism and to amend the State Immunity Act.

The Honourable Senator Tkachuk moved:

That all clauses, the preamble and title, carry, and that the observations, as amended, be appended to the report.

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

The Honourable Senator Jaffer moved:

That Senator Segal, Senator Furey and Senator Tkachuk be empowered to approve the final version of the observations being appended to the report taking into consideration today's discussion, and with any necessary editorial, grammatical or translation changes as required.

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

It was agreed that this bill be reported without amendment and with observations to the Senate, at the earliest opportunity.

At 1:30 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Barbara Reynolds

Clerk of the Committee