Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Security and Defence

Issue 13 - Minutes of Proceedings - February 2, 2015

OTTAWA, Monday, February 2, 2015
(28)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day at 1:01 p.m., in room 2, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Daniel Lang, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Beyak, Dagenais, Day, Kenny, Lang, Mitchell, Stewart Olsen, Wells and White (9).

In attendance: Holly Porteous and Christina Yeung, 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 Thursday, December 11, 2014, the committee began its examination of Bill C-27, An Act to amend the Public Service Employment Act (enhancing hiring opportunities for certain serving and former members of the Canadian Forces).

It was agreed that Bill C-27, An Act to amend the Public Service Employment Act (enhancing hiring opportunities for certain serving and former members of the Canadian Forces), adopted by the Senate on Thursday, December 11, 2014 be delegated to the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs.

At 1:02 p.m., pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, June 19, 2014, the committee continued its study on security threats facing Canada. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 9.)

WITNESSES:

As individuals:

Syed Badiuddin Soharwardy, Imam;

Zijad Delic, Imam;

Kent Roach, Professor, Prichard-Wilson Chair in Law and Public Policy, Faculty of Law, University of Toronto;

Homa Arjomand, Coordinator of The Campaign in Defense of Women's Rights in Iran.

The chair made a statement.

Imam Soharwardy and Imam Delic each made a statement and, together answered questions.

At 2:13 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 2:19 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Roach made a statement and answered questions.

At 3:10 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 3:32 p.m., the committee resumed.

Ms. Arjomand made a statement and answered questions.

At 4:23 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 4:29 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera for the consideration of a draft agenda (future business).

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

At 5:03 p.m., the committee resumed in public for the consideration of a draft budget.

It was agreed that the following budget application for the committee's special study on Security threats facing Canada, for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015, be approved for submission to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration:

SUMMARY OF BUDGET

Activity: Toronto, Ontario $24,380

TOTAL $24,380

At 5:04 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Josée Thérien

Clerk of the Committee