Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Security and Defence

Issue 2 - Minutes of Proceedings - February 3, 2014

OTTAWA, Monday, February 3, 2014
(6)

[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 Daniel Lang, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Dagenais, Dallaire, Day, Lang, Mitchell, Nolin, Segal, Wells and White (9).

In attendance: Holly Porteous and Wolfgang Koerner, 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 Tuesday, November 19, 2013, the committee continued its study on 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:

Privy Council Office:

Stephen Rigby, National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister;

David Vigneault, Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Security and Intelligence.

Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS):

Michel Coulombe, Director.

Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSEC):

John Forster, Chief.

National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces:

Jill Sinclair, Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy).

The chair made an opening statement.

Mr. Rigby made a statement and, together with Mr. Vigneault, answered questions.

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

At 5:06 p.m. the committee resumed.

The chair made an opening statement.

Mr. Forster and Mr. Coulombe each made a statement and, together, answered questions.

At 6:52 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 7:18 p.m., the committee resumed.

Ms. Sinclair made a statement and answered questions.

At 8 p.m., pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, December 12, 2013, and pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee met in camera to consider a draft agenda.

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

It was agreed that the chair and deputy chair, on behalf of the committee, put a request to the leaderships to change the meeting time of the committee to Mondays from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., instead of 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

At 8:09 p.m., the committee resumed in public.

It was agreed that the following budget application for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2014, be approved for submission to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.

SUMMARY OF BUDGET

General Expenses	$ 0
Activity: Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S.A.	$65,120
TOTAL	$65,120

At 8:10 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Josée Thérien

Clerk of the Committee