THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL SECURITY, DEFENCE AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Monday, April 27, 2026
(18)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs met this day at 4 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, Ince, Kutcher, McNair, Ross, White, Youance and Yussuff (13).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Duncan and Patterson (2).
Participating in the meeting: Anne-Marie Therrien-Tremblay and Andrés León, Analysts, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, October 2, 2025, the committee continued its consideration of such issues as may arise from time to time relating to national security and defence generally, including veterans’ affairs.
APPEARING:
The Honourable David McGuinty, P.C., M.P., Minister of National Defence.
WITNESSES:
Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces:
Christiane Fox, Deputy Minister;
Lieutenant-General Stephen R. Kelsey, Vice Chief of the Defence Staff;
Heather Sheehy, Assistant Deputy Minister (Materiel);
Scott Millar, Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy);
Jonathan Moor, Chief Financial Officer.
Canadian Coast Guard:
Kevin Brosseau, Commissioner.
Communications Security Establishment Canada:
Alia Tayyeb, Deputy Chief, Signals Intelligence;
Julie Chassé, Chief Financial Officer.
The minister made a statement and, together with Christiane Fox and Lieutenant-General Stephen R. Kelsey, answered questions.
At 4:55 p.m., the Honourable Senator Ross replaced the Honourable Senator Al Zaibak as a member of the committee.
At 5:07 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:12 p.m., the committee resumed.
Christiane Fox, Kevin Brosseau, Lieutenant-General Stephen R. Kelsey, Heather Sheehy and Alia Tayyeb answered questions.
At 6:01 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 6:08 p.m., the committee resumed in camera.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, April 23, 2026, the committee began its examination of Bill C-8, An Act respecting cyber security, amending the Telecommunications Act and making consequential amendments to other Acts.
Pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee discussed a draft agenda (future business).
It was agreed that the committee allow the audio recording and/or transcription 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 their staff, and that the audio recording and/or transcript be destroyed by the clerk of the committee when authorized to do so by the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, but no later than at the end of this parliamentary session.
At 6:29 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Ericka Paajanen
Clerk of the Committee