THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL SECURITY, DEFENCE AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Monday, October 5, 2026
(27)
[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 Cardozo, Carignan, P.C., Deacon (Ontario), Greenwood, Hay, Ince, Patterson, White, Youance and Yussuff (10).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Martel and McCallum (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, June 11, 2026, the committee began its examination of Bill S-223, An Act to amend the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act.
WITNESSES:
Public Safety Canada:
Lesley Soper, Director General, Policing Policy.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police:
Assistant Commissioner Jennifer Ebert, Operational Policing Services;
Chief Superintendent Simon Pillay, Director, National Criminal Operations.
First Nation Lands Advisory Board:
Chief Robert Louie, Chair (by videoconference);
Andrew Beynon, Director, Land Code Governance.
Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc.:
Garrison Settee, Grand Chief (by videoconference);
Michael Anderson, Policing and Public Safety Advisor, Office of the Grand Chief (by videoconference).
Tsuut'ina Nation Police Service:
Keith Blake, Chief of Police (by videoconference).
Indigenous Bar Association:
Melinda Moch, Secretary (by videoconference).
As an individual:
The Honourable Senator Mary Jane McCallum, sponsor of the bill.
The Honourable Mary Jane McCallum made a statement and, together with Garrison Settee, Michael Anderson and Andrew Beynon, answered questions.
At 4:39 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 4:47 p.m., the committee resumed.
Assistant Commissioner Jennifer Ebert made a statement and, together with Chief Superintendent Simon Pillay, answered questions.
At 5:25 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:37 p.m., the committee resumed.
Chief Robert Louie, Garrison Settee, Melinda Moch and Keith Bake each made a statement and, together with Michael Anderson and Andrew Beynon, answered questions.
At 6:24 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 6:35 p.m., the committee resumed.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, October 2, 2025, the committee continued its study on national security and defence generally, including veterans’ affairs.
The committee discussed a draft agenda (future business).
At 7:04 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 7:04 p.m., the committee resumed in camera.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, the committee continued its examination 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.
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.
It was agreed that the draft report, as amended, be adopted in both official languages, and that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to approve the final version of the report, taking into consideration this meeting’s discussions, and with any necessary editorial, grammatical and translation changes required.
It was agreed that the chair be authorized to table the report in the Senate, in both official languages, at the earliest opportunity.
At 7:27 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Chantal Cardinal
Clerk of the Committee