Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Security and Defence

Issue No. 10 - Minutes of Proceedings - December 12, 2016

OTTAWA, Monday, December 12, 2016
(26)

[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, Jaffer, Lang, Lankin, P.C., Meredith, Oh and White (8).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Boniface and Patterson (2).

In attendance: Katherine Simonds and Holly Porteous, Analysts, 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 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.)

WITNESS:

Privy Council Office:

Daniel Jean, National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister.

The chair made a statement.

Mr. Jean made a statement and answered questions.

At 2:04 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 2:08 p.m., the committee resumed.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on April 21, 2016, the committee continued its study on issues related to the Defence Policy Review presently being undertaken by the government. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 4.)

WITNESSES:

Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer:

Jean-Denis Fréchette, Parliamentary Budget Officer;

Mostafa Askari, Assistant Parliamentary Budget Officer;

Jason Jacques, Director, Economic and Fiscal Analysis;

Peter Weltman, Senior Director, Costing and Program Analysis.

National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces:

Brigadier-General Michael Nixon, Commander, Joint Task Force North (by video conference);

Lieutenant-Colonel Luis Carvallo, Commanding Officer, 1st Canadian Ranger Patrol Group (by video conference).

The chair made a statement.

Mr. Fréchette made a statement and, together with Mr. Askari, Mr. Jacques and Mr. Weltman, answered questions.

The Honourable Senator Jaffer moved:

That, pursuant to the order adopted by the Senate on December 7, 2016, the membership of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be increased by one non-voting member chosen from the senators who are not members of a recognized party, to be designated after the usual consultations.

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

At 2:52 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 3:14 p.m., the committee resumed.

Brigadier-General Nixon and Lieutenant-Colonel Carvallo each made a statement and, together, answered questions.

At 4:16 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 4:17 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera for the consideration of a draft agenda (future business).

At 4:35 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Adam Thompson

Clerk of the Committee