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

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Wednesday, October 25, 2023
(37)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs met this day at 11:38 a.m., in room B45, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Tony Dean, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Boehm, Boisvenu, Cardozo, Dagenais, Dasko, Deacon (Ontario), Dean, Gerba, Kutcher, Oh, Plett, Richards and Yussuff (13).

Participating in the meeting: Ariel Shapiro and Anne-Marie Therrien-Tremblay, analysts, Library of Parliament; Ben Silverman, Communications Officer, Communications, Broadcasting and Publications Directorate.

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).

WITNESSES:

As individuals:

Noah S. Schwartz, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, University of the Fraser Valley;

Tim Thurley, Firearms Researcher and Policy Specialist;

Christian Leuprecht, Professor, Department of Political Science and Economics, Royal Military College of Canada (by videoconference);

Dr. Caillin Langmann, Assistant Clinical Professor, Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Medicine, McMaster University (by videoconference).

Noah S. Schwartz and Tim Thurley each made a statement and answered questions.

At 12:31 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 12:34 p.m., the committee resumed.

Christian Leuprecht and Caillin Langmann each made a statement and answered questions.

At 1:22 p.m., 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.

The committee considered a draft report.

It was agreed:

That the interim report of the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs be adopted in both official languages.

That the chair be authorized to table the report in the Senate or with the Clerk of the Senate in both official languages at the earliest opportunity and to request a complete and detailed response from the government.

That, 24 hours prior to the release of the report, the report be provided to targeted reporters approved by the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, under embargo.

At 1:24 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Ericka Dupont

Clerk of the Committee