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

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Wednesday, November 1, 2023
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[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs met this day at 11:30 a.m., in room B45, 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, Pate and Patterson (Ontario) (12).

Participating in the meeting: Ariel Shapiro, Analyst, 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:

National Association of Women and the Law:

Suzanne Zaccour, Director, Legal Affairs (by videoconference).

PolyRemembers:

Nathalie Provost, Spokesperson;

Heidi Rathjen, Coordinator.

Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec City:

Boufeldja Benabdallah, Co-Founder and Spokesperson.

Women's Shelters Canada:

Lise Martin, Executive Director.

Regroupement des maisons pour femmes victimes de violence conjugale:

Louise Riendeau, Co-Lead, Political Issues (by videoconference).

Suzanne Zaccour, Nathalie Provost and Boufeldja Benabdallah each made a statement and, together with Heidi Rathjen, answered questions.

At 12:30 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 12:35 p.m., the committee resumed.

Lise Martin and Louise Riendeau each made a statement and answered questions.

At 1:23 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Ericka Dupont

Clerk of the Committee