THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL SECURITY, DEFENCE AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Monday, September 28, 2026
(26)
[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 Marty Deacon, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Anderson, Cardozo, Deacon (Ontario), Hay, Ince, McNair, Patterson, White, Youance and Yussuff (10).
Participating in the meeting: Andrés León and Anne-Marie Therrien-Tremblay, Analysts, Library of Parliament.
The chair informed the committee of a vacancy in the deputy chair and presided over the election of a deputy chair.
The Honourable Senator Cardozo moved that the Honourable Senator Ince become the deputy chair of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, the committee began its consideration of the subject matter of those elements contained in Division 16 of Part 4 of Bill C-31, A second Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on November 4, 2025.
WITNESSES:
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada:
Kendal Hembroff, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Industry Sector.
Defence Investment Agency:
Wendy Hadwen, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister.
Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries:
Nicolas Todd, Vice President, Government Relations and Communications.
Canada Rocket Company:
Hugh Kolias, Chief Executive Officer.
Canadian Global Affairs Institute:
David Perry, President and Chief Executive Officer.
Town of Inuvik:
Peter Clarkson, Mayor (by videoconference).
As an individual:
Richard Foster, Vice President, L3Harris Technologies Canada.
Philippe Lagassé, Professor of International Affairs, Carleton University (by videoconference).
Wendy Hadwen made a statement and, together with Kendal Hembroff, answered questions.
At 4:57 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:08 p.m., the committee resumed.
Nicolas Todd, Hugh Kolias and Richard Foster each made a statement and answered questions.
At 6:09 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 6:22 p.m., the committee resumed.
Peter Clarkson, David Perry and Philippe Lagassé each made a statement and answered questions.
At 7:18 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 7:21 p.m., the committee resumed in camera.
Pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee discussed a draft report.
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 7:49 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Chantal Cardinal
Clerk of the Committee