Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Security and Defence

Issue 7 - Minutes of Proceedings - May 26, 2014

OTTAWA, Monday, May 26, 2014
(16)

[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 Dagenais, Dallaire, Lang, McIntyre, Mitchell, Oh, Segal and White (8).

Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Day (1).

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 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:

As individuals:

The Honourable David Pratt, P.C., former Minister of National Defence;

The Honourable Bill Graham, P.C., former Minister of National Defence.

The chair made an opening statement.

Messrs. Pratt and Graham each made a statement, and together answered questions.

At 2:02 p.m. the committee suspended.

At 2:08 p.m. the committee resumed.

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:

Commission for Public Complaints Against the Royal Canadian Mounted Police:

Ian McPhail, Interim Chair;

Richard Evans, Senior Director, Operations.

Mounted Police Professional Association of Canada:

Rae Banwarie, President.

Association des membres de la police montée du Québec:

Gaétan Delisle, President.

RCMP Staff Relations Representative Program:

Staff Sergeant Abe Townsend, National Executive;

Superintendent Doug Anthony, National Executive.

Mounted Police Association of Ontario:

John White, President.

The chair made an opening statement.

Mr. McPhail made a statement, and together with Mr. Evans answered questions.

At 3:01 p.m. the committee suspended.

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

Staff Sergeant Abe Townsend, Messrs. Delisle, White and Banwarie each made a statement, and together with Superintendent Anthony answered questions.

At 4:29 p.m. the committee suspended.

At 4:35 p.m., the committee resumed.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, November 19, 2013, and delegated to the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs on Monday, December 2, 2013, the committee continued its study of services and benefits provided to members of the Canadian Forces; to veterans; to members and former members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and their families. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 1.)

Pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee met in camera for the consideration of a draft report.

It was agreed that senators' staff be permitted to remain in the room.

After debate, it was agreed to adopt the report as amended, and that the chair table the report in the Senate.

At 5:15 p.m., the committee resumed in public.

It was agreed that the following application for the subcommittee's study on mental health issues affecting serving and retired members of the Canadian Armed Forces, for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015, adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, April 9, 2014, and delegated to the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs on Monday, April 28, 2014, be approved for submission to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets, and Administration:

ACTIVITY 1: Ottawa -
DND - Canadian Forces Health Services Centre $ 1,050

ACTIVITY 2: Ottawa -
Veterans Affairs Operational Stress Injury Clinic $ 1,050

ACTIVITY 3: Petawawa -
Integrated Personnel Support Centre $ 3,350

ACTIVITY 4:
Winnipeg - Deer Lodge OSI Clinic $ 38,600

ACTIVITY 5: Quebec City —
DND and VAC Clinics $ 19,700

TOTAL $ 63,300

At 5:19 p.m. the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Josée Thérien

Clerk of the Committee