Evidence of meeting #10 for Public Safety and National Security in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was security.
A recording is available from Parliament.
10:35 a.m.
Liberal
Andrew Kania Liberal Brampton West, ON
Inspector Furey, does Canada have any plans, that you're aware of, to deploy drones of our own in areas that have no personnel?
10:35 a.m.
Insp Mike Furey
Currently we use helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. We do not have the types of UAVs that the U.S. has. Again, as I mentioned earlier, UAVs are not authorized to fly in Canada, other than in specific military locations. That is not on our radar for the near future.
10:35 a.m.
Liberal
Andrew Kania Liberal Brampton West, ON
I understand what the current system is, but are there any plans? Have you thought about this, have you made any requests, anything whatsoever, in terms of trying to implement such a system?
10:35 a.m.
Insp Mike Furey
I'm sorry, could you repeat the question?
10:35 a.m.
Liberal
Andrew Kania Liberal Brampton West, ON
Sure.
I understand what you're saying in terms of what's currently occurring, but has this been considered, and do you have any plans for it? Do you want this to occur, in terms of what may happen in the future?
10:35 a.m.
Insp Mike Furey
We're always looking at new initiatives that can move forward in border security. As I said, at the current time that's not available, but if it should become available later on, that's something we would like to entertain. But it currently is not in our plans.
10:35 a.m.
Liberal
Andrew Kania Liberal Brampton West, ON
So you don't have any internal studies or recommendations or anything you're waiting on, in terms of trying of implement such a system?
10:35 a.m.
Insp Mike Furey
We're looking at various alternatives and initiatives, but I'm not quite sure I understand. What are you referring to?
10:35 a.m.
Liberal
Andrew Kania Liberal Brampton West, ON
Have there been any internal recommendations in terms of adopting any such system?
10:35 a.m.
Insp Mike Furey
We're always looking ahead at new initiatives and what we can move forward on--the advances in technology, what's currently available, what's going to be available in the future. So yes, we are looking at alternatives. We have a technology strategy. We're looking at things that we can adapt, dealing with DRDC on new initiatives that are coming forward, some things that we can try to bring into the fold.
So to answer your question, we're always looking forward to other initiatives.
10:35 a.m.
Liberal
Andrew Kania Liberal Brampton West, ON
Mr. Rigby, did you have any input whatsoever into Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano's report, into her study?
10:35 a.m.
Liberal
Andrew Kania Liberal Brampton West, ON
Were you asked by anybody to have any input to assist with that study?
10:35 a.m.
Liberal
Andrew Kania Liberal Brampton West, ON
Mr. Rigby, in terms of the arming of border guards, I assume that's occurring at present.
10:35 a.m.
President, Canada Border Services Agency
It's occurring, yes. It started two years ago and will continue for some time to come.
10:35 a.m.
Liberal
Andrew Kania Liberal Brampton West, ON
In terms of the initial estimates of how much this would cost, where are we now in relation to what the initial estimates were in relation to what is being spent?
10:35 a.m.
President, Canada Border Services Agency
The initial estimate and total project cost was $780 million. That is still the estimated cost.
10:35 a.m.
Liberal
Andrew Kania Liberal Brampton West, ON
I want to go back to the report from Secretary Napolitano.
Assistant Commissioner Cabana, when he was here earlier this week, specifically stated that he was asked by the Border Services Agency to make a recommendation or provide input in terms of this report for Secretary Napolitano, and that he was asked to do so by the Border Services Agency. Is that accurate? Did anybody from the Border Services Agency, to the best of your knowledge, ask the RCMP to contribute anything towards this report?
10:35 a.m.
President, Canada Border Services Agency
At this time, perhaps I could ask Deputy Commissioner Souccar to comment.
10:35 a.m.
Liberal
Andrew Kania Liberal Brampton West, ON
But can I ask you first, are you aware of anybody from the Border Services Agency making the request to the RCMP?
