Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on 
Fisheries and Oceans

Issue No. 7 - Minutes of Proceedings - October 26, 2016

HALIFAX, Wednesday, October 26, 2016
(17)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans met this day at 1:36 p.m., in Admirals Room South, Conference Level, Four Points by Sheraton Halifax, the chair, the Honourable Fabian Manning, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Enverga, Hubley, Manning, McInnis, Munson, Poirier and Stewart Olsen (7).

In attendance: Odette Madore, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, April 14, 2016, the committee continued its study on Maritime Search and Rescue activities, including current challenges and opportunities. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 4.)

WITNESSES:

Canadian Coast Guard:

Wade Spurrell, Assistant Commissioner, Atlantic Region;

Harvey Vardy, A/Superintendent, Maritime Search and Rescue, Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Halifax.

National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces:

Major Rhonda Stevens, Officer in Charge, Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Halifax.

Canadian Coast Guard:

Brian LeBlanc, Executive Director, Canadian Coast Guard College.

Nova Scotia Community College:

Tom Gunn, Principal, Nautical Institute;

Vivek Saxena, Academic Chair, Nautical Institute.

Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary:

Frank Boudreau, President, Maritimes;

Darcy Henn, Manager, Maritimes.

It was agreed:

That coverage by electronic and photographic media of the committee's public proceedings today be allowed with the least possible disruption of its hearing.

The chair made a statement.

Mr. Spurrell and Major Stevens made a statement and, together with Mr. Vardy, answered questions.

At 3:15 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 3:36 p.m., the committee resumed.

The chair made a statement.

Messrs. LeBlanc, Gunn and Saxena each made a statement and answered questions.

At 4:49 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 4:55 p.m., the committee resumed.

The chair made a statement.

Messrs. Boudreau and Henn made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:37 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Maxwell Hollins

Clerk of the Committee