Evidence of meeting #49 for National Defence in the 39th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was study.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal John Cannis
If I may, Mr. Hiebert, proper procedure—and correct me if I'm wrong—is the steering committee. Each representative from the different parties has an obligation to bring forth their suggestions to discuss within the steering committee, and the plan is put forth in terms of, as Ms. Gallant said, whether we need to go to the Liaison Committee. Is there travel? This is another obligation of the chair, should travel be required, to secure funds or budgets for witnesses, etc.
So that is the responsibility of the steering committee.
Conservative
Russ Hiebert Conservative South Surrey—White Rock—Cloverdale, BC
Which made the request for this particular topic already.
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal John Cannis
There were several other topics on the agenda; it wasn't just this one, if I recall. I'm speaking not as the chair, but as a member of the steering committee on behalf of this party. And others on that committee can also express their views.
I believe we're engaging in good constructive exchange on an issue that is important. But I'm also on the edge of my seat simply because we all have put the urgency around the table, as Ms. Gallant said. We have to show something, and as constructive as this exchange has been, I think we have to get back to the report.
Ms. Gallant.
Conservative
Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON
I don't have all my notes with me from our meetings, but I believe that in the past we passed a motion on what we were going to study. If the clerk has it with him, I'd like to be refreshed on what that motion we voted on says.
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal John Cannis
These were the three that were suggested, in this order: procurement processing, including the tendering process and the establishment of capability requirements; continental defence in the context of the evolving relationships between NORAD, NORTHCOM, and Canada Command; and third, quality of life for members of the Canadian Forces and their families.
The Clerk of the Committee Mr. Andrew Chaplin
This was further refined in meeting number 46 on April 19, with the adoption of these.
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal John Cannis
In our meeting of Thursday, April 19, 2007, meeting number 46, the committee adopted the following:
Notwithstanding the Committee's concurrence in the fourth report of its Subcommittee on December 13, 2006, the Subcommittee recommends that the Committee undertake the following work with priority given as suggested by their order: completion of a report of the study of the Canadian Forces missions in Afghanistan; a study of the evolving relationship between NORAD and NORTHCOM; and a focused study on a single aspect affecting the quality of life for members of the Canadian Forces and their families.
It is on record. You're correct in the way you've stated it, and those were the priorities, which is what I just said. This is our first responsibility right now to focus on, however long it should take.
So it has been put on record, Mr. Hawn, for your benefit, sir.
Are there any further clarification problems? Do you wish us to vote on this? It's already there.
Conservative
Laurie Hawn Conservative Edmonton Centre, AB
If it is there as a priority, I suggest we table it for the moment and finish what we're doing here and then come back to it. The steering committee can discuss it further, but it's already been discussed.
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal John Cannis
Okay, we're satisfied.
Are there any further comments? Can we just dispense with it?
Ms. Gallant.
Conservative
Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON
Just to have this clear, it's not a matter of whether or not we're going to do this study. Mr. Hawn's motion was more or less setting the parameters of what the study is going to be, because we've already voted that we're going to do that study next.
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal John Cannis
I believe Mr. Hawn just put it in more detail for us, but the overall concept of it was already agreed upon. He's given us more information here, which I'm sure will come forth in the future as well, as it unfolds.
Conservative
Laurie Hawn Conservative Edmonton Centre, AB
Can I rework the motion to give it a little more thought in terms of the connectivity of the issues from one to the next?
Conservative
Laurie Hawn Conservative Edmonton Centre, AB
The comment about the relationship between NORAD and NORTHCOM says that the people on the steering committee don't understand the issue of continental defence. NORAD is a very small part of it. NORTHCOM's and Canada Command's is a more important relationship in terms of continental defence. NORAD is just a subset of it.
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal John Cannis
We had agreed on the broad study of it, and of course the finer details, in terms of witnesses, where, etc. Can we end discussion of this, or is there any last comment?
Liberal
Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC
We have also voted on an important motion about detainees in Afghanistan, and agreed that continental defence is on our list of priorities once we have dealt with procurement. We feel that it is clear that we should discuss it after dealing with Afghanistan. The question of the detainees complements the report as such. So we should look at that as well.
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal John Cannis
The topics I mentioned earlier from a previous meeting were applied in terms of their being studies, if I am correct. What you are suggesting now is a meeting per se, to engage not necessarily in a study. Am I correct?
Liberal
Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC
Well, we'll see. All I'm saying is that we need a steering committee for several issues, including the detainee issue we have to deal with.
NDP
Dawn Black NDP New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC
I brought a motion forward that the minister come to report to us on the issue of detainees before it went quite as far as it is now. I thought we had a date that the minister is appearing to discuss that issue. Is that not correct?
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal John Cannis
We've been informed that two weeks from today, May 15, the minister will appear with the CDF, General Hillier.
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal John Cannis
That is my understanding, yes. That meeting is in the afternoon as well, but we will be giving notice to the full committee. For now, you know it's in the afternoon on May 15.
Are there any further comments?