Report of the committee
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
The Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs has the honour to present its
ELEVENTH REPORT
Your committee, to which was referred Bill C-20, An Act establishing the Public Complaints and Review Commission and amending certain Acts and statutory instruments, has, in obedience to the order of reference of Thursday, June 20, 2024, examined the said bill and now reports the same without amendment but with certain observations, which are appended to this report.
Respectfully submitted,
TONY DEAN
Chair
Observations to the eleventh report of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs (Bill C-20)
Bill C-20 would establish the Public Complaints and Review Commission (the Commission) to review the activities of, and investigate complaints against, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
Having heard from witnesses concerned about the issues of diversity and representation, the committee urges the Government of Canada to ensure that the members of the proposed Commission — as well as the staff that it hires — reflect a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences.
Your committee also heard concerns about the ability of third parties, such as public-interest organizations and non-governmental organizations, to submit complaints — including in relation to systemic issues — and to request reviews of specified activities of the CBSA and the RCMP. According to your committee, the Government of Canada should explore options for clarifying that third parties with a genuine interest in the subject matter can submit complaints to the proposed Commission.
Regarding concerns raised by witnesses about resources, your committee is of the view that the Government of Canada should provide the proposed Commission with the personnel and financial resources that it requires to accomplish its mandate effectively.