Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Security and Defence

Issue 6 - Minutes of Proceedings - April 28, 2014

OTTAWA, Monday, April 28, 2014
(13)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day at 1 p.m. in room 2, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Daniel Lang, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Beyak, Dagenais, Dallaire, Day, Lang, Mitchell, 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 Wednesday, April 9, 2014, the committee began its examination of the subject-matter of those elements contained in Divisions 1 and 7 of Part 6 of Bill C-31, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on February 11, 2014 and other measures.

The chair made a statement.

It was agreed that Division 1 of Part 6 (benefits and allowances) of the order of reference on the pre-study of Bill C-31, adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, April 9, 2014 be delegated to the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs; that the subcommittee report to this committee no later than June 2, 2014; and that Division 7 of Part 6 remain to be examined by the full committee.

At 1:03 p.m., the chair made a statement.

It was agreed that the order of reference on mental health issues affecting serving and retired members of the Canadian Armed Forces, adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, April 9, 2014 be delegated to the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs.

At 1:05 p.m., pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, December 12, 2013, the committee continued its study on the status of Canada's international security and defence relations. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 3.)

WITNESSES:

National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces:

Major-General Michael Day, Chief of Force Development.

As individuals:

Michaela Dodge, Policy Analyst, Defence and Strategic Policy, Heritage Foundation;

Lauren van den Berg, Foreign Policy Consultant;

Richard Weitz, Director, Center for Political-Military Analysis, Hudson Institute.

Canadian Space Agency:

General (Retired) Walter J. Natynczyk, President;

Luc Brûlé, Vice President.

The chair made an opening statement.

Major-General Day made a statement and answered questions.

At 1:58 p.m., the committee suspended.

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

Ms. Dodge, Ms. van den Berg and Mr. Weitz each made a statement and, together, answered questions.

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

At 3:31 p.m., the committee resumed.

General (Retired) Natynczyk made a statement and, together with Mr. Brûlé answered questions.

At 4:32 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 4:37 p.m., the committee resumed.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, December 12, 2013, the committee continued its study on policies, practices, and collaborative efforts with Canada Border Services Agency. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 3.)

WITNESSES:

Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada:

Chantal Bernier, Interim Privacy Commissioner;

Christopher Prince, Strategic Policy Analyst.

The chair made an opening statement.

Ms. Bernier made a statement and, together with Mr. Prince, answered questions.

At 5:30 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Josée Thérien

Clerk of the Committee