THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL SECURITY, DEFENCE AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Monday, October 23, 2023
(36)
[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, Kutcher, Oh, Plett, Richards and Yussuff (13).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Arnot, Duncan, Miville-Dechêne and White (4).
Participating in the meeting: Ariel Shapiro and Anne-Marie Therrien-Tremblay, analysts, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, the committee continued its consideration of Bill C-21, An Act to amend certain Acts and to make certain consequential amendments (firearms).
APPEARING:
The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, P.C., M.P., Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs.
WITNESSES:
Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness of Canada:
Talal Dakalbab, Assistant Deputy Minister, Crime Prevention Branch.
Department of Justice Canada:
Matthew Taylor, General Counsel and Director, Criminal Law Policy Section.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police:
Mark Flynn, Acting Commissioner;
Kellie Paquette, Director General, Canadian Firearms Program.
Canada Border Services Agency:
Aaron McCrorie, Vice President, Intelligence and Enforcement Branch.
Government of Alberta:
Teri Bryant, Chief Firearms Officer, Alberta Chief Firearms Office.
Government of Saskatchewan:
Robert Freberg, Commissioner and Chief Firearms Officer, Saskatchewan Firearms Secretariat.
The minister made a statement and, together with Talal Dakalbab and Matthew Taylor, answered questions.
At 5:03 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:13 p.m., the committee resumed.
Talal Dakalbab, Aaron McCrorie, Mark Flynn, Kellie Paquette, and Matthew Taylor answered questions.
At 6:05 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 6:21 p.m., the committee resumed.
Teri Bryant and Robert Freberg each made a statement and answered questions.
At 7:22 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 7:28 p.m., the committee resumed.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, February 10, 2022, the committee continued its examination of issues relating to Veterans Affairs, including services and benefits provided, commemorative activities, and the continuing implementation of the Veteran’s Well-being Act.
At 7:29 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 7:30 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee proceeded in camera to discuss a draft report.
It was agreed that the chair seek permission to deposit the report with the Clerk of the Senate if the Senate is not then sitting.
At 7:41 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Ericka Dupont
Clerk of the Committee