Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Security and Defence

Issue 15 - Minutes of Proceedings - March 30, 2015

OTTAWA, Monday, March 30, 2015
(33)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day at 3:05 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, Enverga, Kenny, Lang, Mitchell, Stewart Olsen and White (9).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Jaffer and Runciman (2).

In attendance: Holly Porteous and Christina Yeung, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament; Mark Palmer, Procedural Clerk, Committees Directorate; Alida Rubwindi, Communications Officer, Communications Directorate.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

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.)

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

It was moved that senators' staff be permitted to remain in the room during the in camera portion of today's meeting.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

It was moved that the committee allow the audio recording of the in camera portion of today's meeting for consultation by the analysts for note taking, and that the recording be destroyed by the clerk when authorized to do so by the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, but no later than at the end of this parliamentary session.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

At 4:05 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 4:45 p.m., the committee resumed in public.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on March 24, 2015, the committee began its examination of the subject matter of Bill C-51, An Act to enact the Security of Canada Information Sharing Act and the Secure Air Travel Act, to amend the Criminal Code, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts.

APPEARING:

The Honourable Steven Blaney, P.C., M.P., Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness;

The Honourable Peter MacKay, P.C., M.P., Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.

WITNESSES:

Public Safety Canada:

François Guimont, Deputy Minister.

Canadian Security Intelligence Service:

Michel Coulombe, Director.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police:

Bob Paulson, Commissioner.

Department of Justice Canada:

Donald K. Piragoff, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy Sector.

The chair made a statement.

Minister Blaney and Minister MacKay each made a statement and, together with Mr. Paulson, answered questions.

At 6:05 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Catherine Piccinin

Acting Clerk of the Committee