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

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Monday, November 6, 2023
(41)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs met this day at 3 p.m., in room C128, 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, Kutcher, Oh, Plett, Richards and Yussuff (12).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Duncan (1).

Participating in the meeting: Martine Willox, Legislative Clerk, Committees Directorate and Ariel Shapiro, Analyst, 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).

WITNESSES:

Airsoft in Canada:

Brian A. McIlmoyle, Director (by videoconference).

International Practical Shooting Confederation of Canada:

James Smith, President and National Range Officer Coordinator.

Shooting Federation of Canada:

Sandra Honour, Chair of the Board (by videoconference).

Canadian Shooting Sports Association:

Tony Bernardo, Executive Director (by videoconference).

Assembly of First Nations:

Terry Teegee, Regional Chief, British Columbia (by videoconference);

Julie McGregor, Legal Counsel (by videoconference).

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami:

Natan Obed, President;

Will David, Director, Legal Affairs.

As individuals:

Lynda Kiejko, Civil Engineer and Olympian (by videoconference);

Master Warrant Officer (Ret'd) Richard James Ostashower, Instructor, Canadian Firearms Safety Course, former Military and Police Firearms Instructor (by videoconference).

Matthew Hipwell, Owner, Wolverine Supplies;

Richard Edward Terry McCullough, Vice-President and General Manager, Savage Arms Canada Inc.;

William J. Klassen, Former Police Officer, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Yukon.

James Smith, Sandra Honour and Brian McIlmoyle each made a statement and answered questions.

At 3:53 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 3:57 p.m., the committee resumed.

Matthew Hipwell, William Klassen and Lynda Kiejko each made a statement and answered questions.

At 4:58 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:07 p.m., the committee resumed.

Tony Bernardo, Richard Edward Terry McCullough and Richard Ostashower each made a statement.

At 5:47 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:50 p.m., the committee resumed.

Tony Bernardo, Richard Edward Terry McCullough and Richard Ostashower answered questions.

At 6:03 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 6:09 p.m., the committee resumed.

Terry Teegee made a statement and, together with Julie McGregor, answered questions.

At 6:56 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 7:05 p.m., the committee resumed.

Natan Obed made a statement.

At 7:12 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 7:13 p.m., the committee resumed.

Natan Obed and Will David answered questions.

At 7:55 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Ericka Dupont

Clerk of the Committee