THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL SECURITY AND DEFENCE

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Wednesday, June 1, 2022
(11)

[English]

Pursuant to the order of the Senate of May 5, 2022, the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day in room B45, Senate of Canada Building, and with videoconference at 12 p.m. ET, the chair, the Honourable Tony Dean, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Boehm, Dagenais, Dalphond, Dean, Jaffer, Simons and Yussuff (7).

Members of the committee present by videoconference: The Honourable Senators Anderson, Boniface , Mockler, Richards and Wells (5).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Deacon (Ontario) and Moncion (2).

Participating in the meeting: Ferda Simpson, Procedural Clerk and Natacha Umugwaneza, Administrative Assistant, Committees Directorate; Ariel Shapiro and Anne‑Marie Therrien-Tremblay, analysts, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, the committee continued its consideration of Bill S-7, An Act to amend the Customs Act and the Preclearance Act, 2016.

WITNESSES (by videoconference):

Canadian Civil Liberties Association:

Brenda McPhail, Director, Privacy, Technology and Surveillance Program.

International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group:

Tim McSorley, National Coordinator.

British Columbia Civil Liberties Association:

Meghan McDermott, Policy Director.

Tim McSorley, Meghan McDermott and Brenda McPhail each made a statement and answered questions.

At 1:29 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 1:31 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee proceeded in camera to discuss a draft report.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, the committee continued its consideration of the subject matter of those elements contained in Divisions 19 and 20 of Part 5 of Bill C-19, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on April 7, 2022 and other measures.

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 and/or staff, 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 empowered to approve the final version of the report, taking into consideration this meeting’s discussions, and with any necessary editorial, grammatical and translation changes required.

It was agreed that the chair be authorized to table the report in the Senate or to deposit it with the Clerk of the Senate if the Senate is not then sitting, at the earliest opportunity.

 At 1:48 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Ericka Dupont

Clerk of the Committee