Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Security and Defence

Issue 7 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Monday, November 20, 2006
(13)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day in camera at 3:40 p.m. in room 7, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Colin Kenny, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Atkins, Banks, Day, Kenny, Moore, St. Germain, P.C. and Zimmer (7).

Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Tkachuk (1).

In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Steven James, Analyst; Major- General (Ret'd) Keith McDonald, Senior Military Advisor; Barry Denofsky, National Security Advisor; Sergeant Richard Haye, RCMP Liaison Officer and Captain (N) John Gardam, DND Liaison Officer.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, April 27, 2006, the committee continued its examination on the need for a national security policy for Canada. (See Issue No. 1, Tuesday, April 25, 2006, of the committee's proceedings for the full text of the Order of Reference.)

WITNESSES:

National Defence:

Colonel David E. Barr, Commander, Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM);

Brigadier-General A.J. Howard, Director General Operations, Strategic Joint Staff.

In accordance with rule 92(2)(e), the committee considered its draft agenda.

At 4:04 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 4:05 p.m., the committee resumed in public in room 2.

Colonel David E. Barr made a presentation and answered questions.

At 5:40 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:45 p.m., the committee resumed.

Brigadier-General A.J. Howard made a presentation and answered questions.

At 6:10 p.m., the committee suspended due to technical difficulties.

At 6:40 p.m., the committee resumed.

At 7:20 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 7:30 p.m., the committee resumed in camera in room 705, Victoria Building.

In accordance with rule 92(2)(e), the committee considered its draft report.

At 7:45 p.m., the committee sat in public.

It was moved by the Honourable Senator Atkins that, subject to the approval of the Senate to the proposed terms of reference, that the following supplementary budget application for travel to Southwest Asia and Afghanistan for up to seven senators and for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2007 be concurred in; and

That the Chair be empowered to reduce the amount requested should the number of Senators wishing to travel be less than seven; and

That the Chair submit same to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

At 7:46 p.m., the committee continued in camera.

It was moved by the Honourable Senator Day that, pursuant to the motion of the Senate on October 17, 2006 and subject to minor editorial edits as approved by the Chair and Deputy Chair, the committee adopt the revised portion of Managing Turmoil; and

That the report be tabled on Tuesday, November 21, 2006.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The following material was filed as exhibits with the Clerk:

• [Transport Canada, Assistant Deputy Minister Marc Grégoire, Infrastructure and Communities, Reply to question on October 2, 2006] (5900-1.39/N2-SS-1-7 28 "27'')

• [National Defence, Colonel David E. Barr, Opening Remarks, November 27, 2006] (5900-1.39/N2-SS-1-7 28 "28'')

• [National Defence, Brigadier-General A.J. Howard, Information — Operation Athena Afghanistan] (5900-1.39/N2- SS-1-7 28 "29'')

• [National Defence, Response to a question taken on notice October 16, 2006] (5900-1.39/N2-SS-1-7 28 "30'')

At 9:15 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

OTTAWA, Monday, November 27, 2006
(14)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day in camera at 3:40 p.m. in room 705, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Colin Kenny, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Atkins, Banks, Kenny, Moore, Stratton and Zimmer (6).

In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Steven James, Analyst; Major- General (Ret'd) Keith McDonald, Senior Military Advisor; Barry Denofsky, National Security Advisor; Sergeant Richard Haye, RCMP Liaison Officer; Captain (N) John Gardam, DND Liaison Officer; Mikel Magnusson, Parliamentary Affairs, DND and Yvon Fournier, Console Operator.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, April 27, 2006, the committee continued its examination on the need for a national security policy for Canada. (See Issue No. 1, Tuesday, April 25, 2006, of the committee's proceedings for the full text of the Order of Reference.)

In accordance with rule 92(2)(e), the committee considered its future business.

It was moved by the Honourable Senator Banks that, for security reasons, only the following committee staff be permitted to remain in the room for the in camera briefing today (November 27, 2006):

Jodi Turner, Barbara Reynolds, Steven James, Major-General (Ret) Keith McDonald, Barry Denofsky, Captain (N) John Gardam and Sergeant Richard Haye.

The console operator Yvon Fournier is also allowed to remain in the room.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted with Senator Stratton opposing.

At 4:55 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Jodi Turner

Clerk of the Committee