Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Security and Defence

Issue 3 - Minutes of Proceedings - May 2, 2016

OTTAWA, Monday, May 2, 2016
(8)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day at 1:02 p.m., in room 2, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Daniel Lang, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Beyak, Carignan, P.C., Dagenais, Day, Kenny, Lang, Mitchell and White (8).

In attendance: Katherine Simonds, 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 Tuesday, January 26, 2016, 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:

Canadian Cyber Incident Response Centre:

Colleen Merchant, Director General, National Cyber Security Directorate;

Mark Matz, Director, Policy and Issues Management Division;

Patrick Clow, Chief, Cyber Operations, National Cyber Security Directorate.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police:

Bob Paulson, Commissioner;

Mike Cabana, Deputy Commissioner, Federal Policing;

Daniel Dubeau, Deputy Commissioner and Chief Human Resources Officer;

Peter Henschel, Deputy Commissioner, Specialized Policing Services.

The chair made a statement.

Ms. Merchant made a statement and, together with Mr. Matz and Mr. Clow, answered questions.

At 1:53 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 2 p.m., the committee resumed.

Commissioner Paulson, Mr. Cabana, Mr. Dubeau and Mr. Henschel, answered questions.

At 3:28 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 3:43 p.m., the committee resumed, pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, February 2, 2016, to continue its study on security threats facing Canada, including but not limited to: (a) Cyber espionage; (b) Threats to critical infrastructure; (c) Terrorist recruitment and financing; (d) Terrorist operations and prosecutions. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 2.)

WITNESSES:

Canadian Electricity Association:

Colin Penny, Senior Vice-President of Technology and Chief Information Officer of Hydro One Inc. and Hydro One Networks Inc.;

Francis Bradley, Chief Operating Officer;

Geoff Smith, Director, Government Relations.

The chair made a statement.

Mr. Bradley, Mr. Penny and Mr. Smith made a statement and, together answered questions.

At 4:30 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Adam Thompson

Clerk of the Committee