THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL SECURITY, DEFENCE AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Monday, March 23, 2026
(15)
[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, Cardozo, Carignan, P.C., Dasko, Deacon (Ontario), Hay, Kutcher, Ross, White, Youance and Yussuff (11).
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:
Aerospace Industries Association of Canada:
Mike Mueller, President and CEO.
Canadian Council of Indigenous Business:
Michael Jacobs, Co-Chair, Board of Directors.
SAP:
Ryan Wires, Managing Partner, Federal Government of Canada (by videoconference);
David Lincourt, Chief Expert, Global Defense and Security, Industries and Customer Advisory (by videoconference).
General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada:
Doug Wilson-Hodge, Director, Strategy and International Business Development.
Irving Shipbuilding Inc.:
Dirk Lesko, President.
As an individual:
Michael Byers, Professor, University of British Columbia (by videoconference).
Michael Jacobs, Mike Mueller and Michael Byers each made a statement and answered questions.
At 5:03 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:12 p.m., the committee resumed.
Ryan Wires made a statement and, together with David Lincourt, answered questions.
At 6:02 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 6:11 p.m., the committee resumed.
Doug Wilson-Hodge and Dirk Lesko each made a statement and answered questions.
At 7:17 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 7:24 p.m., the committee resumed.
It was agreed that the papers and evidence received and taken and the work accomplished by the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs during the First Session of the Forty-fourth Parliament under the order of reference relating to:
a) services and benefits provided to members of the Canadian Armed Forces, to veterans who have served honourably in the Canadian Armed Forces in the past, to members and former members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and its antecedents, and all of their families;
b) commemorative activities undertaken by the Department of Veterans Affairs Canada, to keep alive for all Canadians the memory of Canadian veterans’ achievements and sacrifices; and
c) continuing implementation of the Veterans Well-being Act;
be referred to the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs.
At 7:25 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 7:26 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to consider a draft agenda (future business).
It was agreed that the committee allow the audio recording and/or transcript of the in camera portion of today's meeting, that one copy be kept with the clerk of the committee for consultation by committee members or staff, and that the audio recording and/or transcript be destroyed by the clerk when authorized to do so by the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, but no later than at the end of this parliamentary session.
It was agreed that the chair be authorized to seek authority from the Senate to adopt the following motion:
That, notwithstanding the order of the Senate adopted on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, the date for the final report of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs in relation to its study on the impacts of Russia’s disinformation on Canada be extended from April 30, 2026, to June 30, 2026.
At 7:36 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Ericka Paajanen
Clerk of the Committee