Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Security and Defence

Issue No. 38 - Minutes of Proceedings - March 18, 2019

OTTAWA, Monday, March 18, 2019
(69)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day at 11:01 a.m., in room W120, 1 Wellington St., the chair, the Honourable Gwen Boniface, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Boisvenu, Boniface, Dagenais, Gold, Griffin, Jaffer, McIntyre, McPhedran, Oh, Pratte, Richards and Wells (12).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Duncan and Pate (2).

In attendance: Tanya Dupuis and Christina Yeung, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament; Stav Nikta, Communications Officer, Senate Communications Directorate.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, December 11, 2018, the committee continued its consideration of Bill C-71, An Act to amend certain Acts and Regulations in relation to firearms. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 36.)

APPEARING:

The Honourable Ralph Goodale, P.C., M.P., Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.

WITNESSES:

Fédération québécoise des chasseurs et pêcheurs:

Marc Renaud, President (by video conference).

Alberta Provincial Rural Crime Watch Association:

Gerald Ingeveld, Director.

Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities:

Ray Orb, President (by video conference).

Women's Shelters Canada:

Lise Martin, Executive Director.

As an individual:

Brian Mishara, Professor, Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal.

Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic:

Amanda Dale, Executive Director.

Public Safety Canada:

Randall Koops, Director General, Policing Policy.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police:

Kellie Paquette, Director General, Canadian Firearms Program;

Robert Mackinnon, Director, Firearms Business Improvement Directorate.

Department of Justice Canada:

Alexandra Budgell, Team Leader and Senior Counsel;

Phaedra Glushek, Director and General Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section.

Calibre - The Canadian Firearm Magazine:

Daniel Fritter, Publisher.

As an individual:

Edward Burlew, Barrister and Solicitor (by video conference).

The Sporting Clubs of Niagara:

Gerry Gamble, President.

The chair made a statement.

Mr. Renaud, Mr. Ingeveld and Mr. Orb each made a statement and, together, answered questions.

At 12:03 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 12:06 p.m., the committee resumed.

Ms. Dale, Ms. Martin and Mr. Mishara each made a statement and, together, answered questions.

At 1:05 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 1:09 p.m., the committee resumed.

The minister made a statement and answered questions.

At 2:07 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 2:11 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Koops, Ms. Paquette, Mr. Mackinnon, Ms. Glushek and Ms. Budgell answered questions.

At 2:56 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 3:46 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Fritter, Mr. Burlew and Mr. Gamble each made a statement and, together, answered questions.

At 4:50 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 4:54 p.m., the committee resumed in camera.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, January 26, 2016, the committee continued its examination on Canada's national security and defence policies, practices, circumstances and capabilities.

Pursuant to rule 12-16(1), the committee proceeded to consider a draft report.

It was agreed that staff be permitted to remain in the room during the in camera portion of the meeting.

It was agreed that the committee allow the transcription of the in camera portion of the meeting, that one copy be kept with the clerk of the committee for consultation by committee members present and/or by the committee analysts, and that the transcript 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.

It was agreed that the draft report be adopted, and that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to make necessary revisions and approve the final text.

At 5:03 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Mark Palmer
Clerk of the Committee