Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Security and Defence

Issue 4 - Minutes of Proceedings - February 27, 2012

OTTAWA, Monday, February 27, 2012
(9)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day at 4:30 p.m., in room 2, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Pamela Wallin, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Day, Dawson, Eggleton, P.C., Manning, Mitchell, Nolin, Plett and Wallin (8).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Lang and Segal (2).

In attendance: Martin Auger and Holly Porteous, 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 Wednesday, June 22, 2011, the committee continued its study of Canada's national security and defence policies, practices, circumstances and capabilities. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 1.)

WITNESSES:

National Defence:

Vice-Admiral Paul Maddison, Chief of the Naval Staff;

Chief Petty Officer Claude Laurendeau;

Lieutenant-General Peter Devlin, Chief of the Army Staff;

Command Chief Warrant Officer Giovanni Moretti;

Lieutenant-General André Deschamps, Chief of the Air Force Staff.

Vice-Admiral Maddison made a statement, and together with Chief Petty Officer Laurendeau, answered questions.

At 5:43 p.m., the committee suspended.

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

Lieutenant-General Devlin made a statement and, together with Command Chief Warrant Officer Moretti, answered questions.

At 6:38 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 6:41 p.m., the committee resumed.

Lieutenant-General Deschamps made a statement and answered questions.

The chair made a statement and at 7:29 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 7:32 p.m., the committee resumed.

It was agreed that the following budget application (Veterans Affairs) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2013 be approved for submission to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.

SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURES

Professional and Other Services	$ 1,800
Transportation and Communications	$ 20,465
All Other Expenditures	$ 1,100
TOTAL	$ 23,365

At 7:37 p.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee resumed in camera to consider a draft agenda (future business).

It was agreed that each committee member be allowed to have staff persons present.

It is agreed that the chair be authorized to seek authority of the Senate for the two following orders of references:

1. That the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence be authorized to examine and report on the state of Canada's defence and security relationships with the United States; and

That the committee present its final report to the Senate no later than December 31, 2013 and that the committee retain, until March 31, 2014, all powers necessary to publicize its findings.

2. That the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence be authorized to examine and report on the status of and lessons learned during Canadian Forces operations in Afghanistan; and

That the committee present its final report to the Senate no later than December 31, 2013 and that the committee retain, until March 31, 2014, all powers necessary to publicize its findings.

At 8:01 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Josée Thérien

Clerk of the Committee