Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Security and Defence

Issue 5 - Minutes of Proceedings - March 26, 2012

OTTAWA, Monday, March 26, 2012
(10)

[English]

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

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Dawson, Day, Eggleton, P.C., Lang, Manning, Mitchell, Nolin, Seidman and Wallin (9).

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, March 7, 2012, the committee began its study of the status of, and lessons learned, during Canadian Forces operations in Afghanistan.

WITNESS:

As an individual:

Jack Granatstein, Historian, Senior Research Fellow, Canadian Defence and Foreign Affairs Institute.

Mr. Granatstein made a statement and answered questions.

At 4:46 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 4:54 p.m., the committee resumed.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, March 7, 2012, the committee began its study of Canada's defence and security and relationships with the United States.

WITNESSES:

As individuals:

Todd Harrison, Senior Fellow, Defence Budget Studies, Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments (by video conference).

Nora Bensahel, Deputy Director of Studies and Senior Fellow, Center for a New American Security (by video conference).

Todd Harrison made a statement and answered questions.

Nora Bensahel made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:51 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:52 p.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(f) the committee resumed to consider a draft budget.

It was agreed that the following budget application (Canada's defence and security relationships with the United States) 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	$ 1,000
Transportation and Communications	$ 35, 517
All Other Expenditures	$ 500
TOTAL	$ 37, 017

At 6:02 p.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee resumed in camera to consider a draft agenda (future business).

It was agreed that senators' staff be permitted to remain in the room for today's meeting.

It is agreed that the chair be authorized to seek authority from the Senate for the following order of reference:

That the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence be authorized to examine and report on Canada's east and west coast navy and air force bases; in particular the committee shall be authorized to examine the capabilities, roles, responsibilities and state of readiness of:

(a) Maritime Forces Atlantic (MARLANT) and Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) headquarters, including their respective Joint Task Forces;

(b) the Joint Rescue Coordination Centres, the Joint Operations Centres and the Marine Security Operations Centres (MSOC);

(c) the long range patrol and transport and rescue squadrons;

(d) the Royal Canadian Navy submarine fleet;

(e) the Royal Canadian Navy Halifax Class frigate fleet, including an examination of the Halifax Class Modernization Frigate Life Extension Program (HCM FELEX);

(f) the Royal Canadian Air Force search and rescue and maritime helicopter fleets; and

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

At 6:08 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Josée Thérien

Clerk of the Committee