THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL SECURITY, DEFENCE AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Monday, November 24, 2025
(7)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs met this day at 4:01 p.m., in room C128, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Hassan Yussuff, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Al Zaibak, Anderson, Cardozo, Carignan, P.C., Dasko, Deacon (Ontario), Ince, McNair, Youance and Yussuff (10).
Participating in the meeting: Ariel Shapiro and Anne-Marie Therrien-Tremblay, Analysts, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, the committee continued its study on defence procurement in the context of Canada’s commitment to increase defence spending.
WITNESSES:
Gwich’in Tribal Council:
Frederick Blake, Grand Chief (by videoconference);
David MacMartin, Government Relations Consultant (by videoconference).
City of Yellowknife:
Ben Hendriksen, Mayor (by videoconference).
Town of Inuvik:
Peter Clarkson, Mayor (by videoconference).
As individuals:
Anessa Kimball, Professor, Department of Political Science, Université Laval (by videoconference);
Ugurhan Berkok, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science and Economics, Royal Military College of Canada (by videoconference);
Jill Scott, Principal, Royal Military College of Canada;
Philippe Lagassé, Associate Professor, Carleton University.
Anessa Kimball and Ugurhan Berkok each made a statement and answered questions.
At 5:01 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:09 p.m., the committee resumed.
Jill Scott and Phillippe Lagassé each made a statement and answered questions.
At 6:11 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 6:20 p.m., the committee resumed.
Grand Chief Frederick Blake, Ben Hendriksen and Peter Clarkson each made a statement and answered questions.
At 7:22 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Ericka Paajanen
Clerk of the Committee