Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Security and Defence

Issue 7 - Minutes of Proceedings - May 28, 2012

OTTAWA, Monday, May 28, 2012
(15)

[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 Pamela Wallin, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Dallaire, Hubley, Lang, Manning, Marshall, Mitchell, Plett and Wallin (8).

Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Smith, P.C. (Cobourg) (1).

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, May 3, 2012, the committee continued its examination of the subject matter of those elements contained in Division 12 of Part 4, of Bill C-38, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 29, 2012 and other measures.

APPEARING:

The Honourable Vic Toews, P.C., M.P., Minister of Public Safety.

WITNESSES:

Public Safety Canada:

Richard Wex, Assistant Deputy Minister, Law Enforcement and Policing;

Marc Taschereau, Chief, Border Strategies, Border Law Enforcement Strategies Division.

As an individual:

Bill Anderson, Ph.D., Ontario Research Chair in Cross-Border Transportation Policy, Professor, Political Science, University of Windsor.

The Honourable Vic Toews, P.C., M.P. made a statement, and together with Messrs. Wex and Taschereau, the witnesses answered questions.

At 5:01 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:04 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Anderson made a statement and answered questions.

The chair made a statement and at 5:40 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:44 p.m., the committee resumed.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, March 7, 2012, the committee continued its study of the status of, and lessons learned, during Canadian Forces operations in Afghanistan. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 5.)

WITNESSES:

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada:

Gordon Venner, Assistant Deputy Minister, Afghanistan, Middle East and Maghreb.

Mr. Venner made a statement and answered questions.

At 6:31 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Josée Thérien

Clerk of the Committee