THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL SECURITY, DEFENCE AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Tuesday, June 18, 2024
(59)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs met this day at 8:02 a.m., in room C128, Senate of Canada Building, the deputy chair, the Honourable Jean-Guy Dagenais, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Anderson, Boehm, Cardozo, Carignan, P.C., Dagenais, Dasko, Deacon (Ontario), Dean, McNair, Patterson and Yussuff (11).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Woo (1).
Participating in the meeting: Ericka Dupont, Co-clerk of the Committee and Karine Déquier, Acting Co-clerk of the Committee, Committees Directorate; Ariel Shapiro and Anne-Marie Therrien-Tremblay, analysts, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Monday, June 17, 2024, the committee began its consideration of Bill C-70, An Act respecting countering foreign interference.
WITNESSES:
Public Safety Canada:
Richard Bilodeau, Director General.
Department of Justice Canada:
Mark Scrivens, Senior Counsel.
Canadian Security Intelligence Service:
Sarah Estabrooks, Director General, Policy and Foreign Relations.
Richard Bilodeau, Mark Scrivens and Sarah Estabrooks were invited to the table and answered questions from time to time.
The Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C., moved that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-70.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was negatived.
After debate, it was agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-70.
It was agreed that the title stand postponed.
It was agreed that clause 1, which contains the short title, stand postponed.
With leave and pursuant to rule 12-20(3), it was agreed that the committee group clauses according to the parts and divisions of the Bill as described in the Table of Provisions of Bill C-70.
It was agreed that Part 1, entitled Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act, which contains clauses 2 to 48 carry.
It was agreed that Part 2, Division 1, entitled Security of Information Act, which contains clauses 49 to 59 carry.
It was agreed that Part 2, Division 2, entitled Criminal Code, which contains clauses 60 to 71 carry.
It was agreed that Part 2, Division 3, entitled Coordinating Amendments and Coming into Force, which contains clauses 72 to 75 carry.
It was agreed that Part 3, Division 1, entitled Canada Evidence Act, which contains clauses 76 to 99 carry.
It was agreed that Part 3, Division 2, entitled Criminal Code, which contains clause 100 carry.
It was agreed that Part 3, Division 3, entitled Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, which contains clauses 101 to 107 carry.
It was agreed that Part 3, Division 4, entitled Transitional Provisions, Coordinating Amendments and Coming into Force, which contains clauses 108 to 112 carry.
It was agreed that Part 4, entitled Foreign Influence Transparency and Accountability Act, which contains clauses 113 to 117 carry.
It was agreed that schedule 1 carry.
It was agreed that schedule 2 carry.
It was agreed that clause 1, which contains the short title, carry.
It was agreed that the title carry.
It was agreed that the bill carry.
At 8:47 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 8:52 a.m., the committee, pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), resume in camera to consider a draft report.
The committee discussed observations.
After debate, it was agreed that observations be appended to the committee's report.
It was agreed that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to approve the final version of the observations being appended to the report, taking into consideration the changes discussed in committee, and with any necessary editorial, grammatical or translation changes as required.
It was agreed that the chair report Bill C-70, without amendment and with observations, to the Senate, at the earliest opportunity.
At 9:40 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Andrea Mugny
Acting Clerk of the Committee