THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL SECURITY, DEFENCE AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Monday, May 8, 2023
(29)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs met this day at 4 p.m., in room C128, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Tony Dean, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Anderson, Boehm, Boisvenu, Cardozo, Dagenais, Dasko, Deacon (Ontario), Dean, Oh and Yussuff (10).

Participating in the meeting: Catlin Seibel-Kamél, Legislative Clerk, Chamber Operations and Procedure Office; Ariel Shapiro and Anne-Marie Therrien-Tremblay, analysts, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, April 27, 2023, the committee began its examination of the subject matter of those elements contained in Division 24 of Part 4 of Bill C-47, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 28, 2023.

WITNESSES:

Canada Border Services Agency:

Graeme Hamilton, Director General, Traveller, Commercial and Trade Policy, Strategic Policy Branch;

Jeff Carr, Director General, Chief Data Office, Strategic Policy Branch;

John Ommanney, Associate Vice-President, Traveller Branch;

Kelly Belanger, Associate Vice-President and Deputy Chief Information Officer, Information, Science and Technology Branch.

Canadian Bar Association:

David T.S. Fraser, Member, National Privacy and Access Law Section (by videoconference).

Customs and Immigration Union:

Mark Weber, National President (by videoconference).

John Ommanney made a statement and, together with Graeme Hamilton, Jeff Carr and Kelly Belanger, answered questions.

At 5:17 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:24 p.m., the committee resumed.

David T.S. Fraser made a statement.

At 5:28 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:31 p.m., the committee resumed.

At 5:32 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:35 p.m., the committee resumed.

David T.S. Fraser and Mark Weber each made a statement.

Mark Weber answered questions.

At 6:22 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 6:23 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to consider a draft agenda (future business).

At 6:57 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Ericka Dupont

Clerk of the Committee