Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Security and Defence
Issue 6 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Monday, March 3, 2008
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[Français]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day, at 4:13 p.m., in room 2, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Colin Kenny, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Banks, Day, Kenny, Mitchell, Meighen, Moore, Nancy Ruth, Tkachuk and Zimmer (9).
In attendance: Shaila Anwar, Co-clerk of the Committee, Committees Directorate; Melissa Radford and Jason Yung, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament; Barry Denofsky, National Security Advisor; Major-General (ret'd) Keith McDonald, Senior Military Advisor.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, November 20, 2007, the committee continued its study on the national security policy of Canada. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 1.)
WITNESS:
City of Winnipeg:
Randy Hull, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator.
Pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee met in camera to consider its draft agenda.
It was agreed that one staff person from each member's office be permitted to remain in the room for the in camera portion of the meeting.
At 4:35 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 4:54 p.m., the committee resumed in public.
The chair made opening remarks.
Mr. Hull made a statement and answered questions.
The Honourable Senator Banks moved:
That the order of reference regarding Bill C-287, An Act respecting a National Peacekeepers' Day, adopted by the Senate on February 26, 2008, be delegated to the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 6:48 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 7:03 p.m., the committee resumed in camera.
It was agreed to file the following material as an exhibit with the Clerk of the Committee:
Response to a request for information regarding the Landstuhl Regional Medical Facility in Germany, dated December 19, 2007. (Exhibit 5900-2.39/N2-SS-1, 8, "2'')
Response to a request for information regarding the UN Security Council Resolution 1325, dated December 20, 2007. (Exhibit 5900-2.39/N2-SS-1, 8, "3'')
Response to a question taken on notice at the December 10, 2007 meeting regarding the Expedient Route Opening Capability systems in Afghanistan, dated December 19, 2007. (Exhibit 5900-2.39/N2-SS-1, 8, "4'')
Response to a question taken on notice at the December 10, 2007 meeting regarding the Strategic Advisory Team, dated January 17, 2008. (Exhibit 5900-2.39/N2-SS-1, 8, "5'')
Response to a question taken on notice at the December 10, 2007 meeting regarding the International Stabilization Force Afghanistan activities in the Nimroz province, dated January 17, 2008. (Exhibit 5900-2.39/ N2-SS-1, 8, "6'')
Response to a question taken on notice at the December 10, 2007 meeting regarding an unmanned aerial vehicle platform, dated January 17, 2008. (Exhibit 5900-2.39/N2-SS-1, 8, "7'')
Document entitled Government Emergency Management Regulation, Alberta Regulation 248/2007, submitted by David Hodgins, Managing Director of Alberta Emergency Management Agency at the February 11, 2008 meeting. (Exhibit 5900-2.39/N2-SS-1, 8, "8'')
At 8:32 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 8:34 p.m., the committee resumed in public.
The Honourable Senator Moore moved:
That the following budget application for the committee for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009 be approved for submission to the Standing Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration:
Professional and other services: $ 219,000 Transportation and Communications: 339,550 All other expenses: 58,600 TOTAL: $ 617,150
The Honourable Senator Kenny moved:
That the motion be amended by reducing, in the draft budget, the "Stationary & supplies'' line by $5,000, and the "Miscellaneous expenses'' line by $2,000, with the result that the amount of $58,600 in the "All other expenses'' category be replaced by $51,600.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived, by a show of hands.
The Honourable Senator Banks moved:
That the motion be amended by reducing the total draft budget by $27,000, being $7,000 from the "Other expenditures'' category, $10,000 from the "Promotion or Reports'' activity, and $10,000 from the "Conferences'' activity, with the result that the amount of $339,550 in the "Transportation and Communications'' category be replaced by $319,550, and that the amount of $58,600 in the "All other expenses'' category be replaced by $51,600.
After debate, with leave, the Honourable Senator Banks withdrew the motion in amendment.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted, on division, by a show of hands.
At 9:30 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Gaëtane Lemay
Clerk of the Committee
OTTAWA, Wednesday, March 12, 2008
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[Français]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day, at 12:07 p.m., in room 160-S, Centre Block, the deputy chair, the Honourable David Tkachuk, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Dallaire, Day, Massicotte, Nancy Ruth, Segal, Tkachuk and Zimmer (7).
In attendance: Gaëtane Lemay, Co-clerk of the Committee, Committees Directorate; Melissa Radford, Maureen Shields and Marcia Jones, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament; Major- General (ret) Keith McDonald, Senior Military Advisor; Captain (N) John Gardam, DND Liaison Officer.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, March 4, 2008, the committee began its consideration of Bill C-40, An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code, the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act, the Canada Student Loans Act and the Public Service Employment Act.
APPEARING:
The Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, P.C., M.P., Minister of Labour.
WITNESSES:
Human Resources and Social Development Canada:
Hélène Gosselin, Deputy Minister of Labour;
Anthony Giles, Director General, Strategic Policy, Analysis, and Workplace Information Directorate.
Department of National Defence:
Brigadier General Linda J. Colwell, Director-General Military Personnel.
The chair made opening remarks.
The minister made a statement and, together with Mr. Giles, answered questions.
At 12:59 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 1:07 p.m., the committee resumed.
Brigadier-General Linda J. Colwell made a statement and, together with Mr. Giles, answered questions.
It was agreed that Senators' staff be permitted to remain in the room for the in camera portion of the meeting.
At 2:03 p.m., the committee suspended
At 2:05 p.m., the committee resumed in camera to consider its draft agenda.
It was agreed that the committee invite more witnesses and then proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C- 40 at its next meeting.
At 2:21 p.m. the committee suspended.
At 2:25 the committee resumed in public.
The deputy chair made a statement.
At 2:30 p.m. the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Shaila Anwar
Clerk of the Committee