National Defence Committee on Feb. 27th, 2013

[The Vice-Chair, NDP, Jack Harris]

I call meeting number 68 of the Standing Committee on National Defence to order. We are continuing the clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-15.

I've been asked by the chair to open the meeting; he is in the House of Commons presenting a bill. I suspect he'll only be a few minutes, so I don't see much point in starting the meeting....

We were in the midst of discussion with Colonel Gibson, I believe, regarding clause 20 and some of the consequences of that. But I don't think he's going to be very long. When I left the House there was a private member's bill being presented, and I think as of today he has to present his bill.

Madame Moore.

[Christine Moore, NDP, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

As Mr. Bezan has not arrived, I want to check something about supplementary estimates (C). The meeting on March 18 will be the only one this month, as we will be on the road twice. So we will have no other meetings here, in the House of Commons, until April.

I would just like to know what is happening with regard to supplementary estimates (C). I may not have understood properly that the situation was at the last meeting. I would like to obtain some clarifications about this before we move on to the clause-by-clause study.

[The Vice-Chair, NDP, Jack Harris]

Thank you.

Perhaps the clerk can clarify the consideration of that. There was some discussion about which date we must consider them by. Do you have any information, Mr. Clerk?

[The Clerk of the Committee, Mr. Leif-Erik Aune]

I will speak in English, if I may.

We understand the department has confirmed the availability of the minister for March 6, if this pleases the members. He's been tentatively scheduled to appear on that date as long as the members are in agreement.

[The Vice-Chair, NDP, Jack Harris]

When is the date by which we have to report back to the House?

[The Clerk]

I believe the final date by which the committee would have to report back is March 21. In the case of this committee, it would have to be before that because of the travel.

[Christine Moore, NDP, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

Mr. Alexander.

[Chris Alexander, Conservative, Ajax—Pickering, ON]

What we have understood is that the meeting with the minister, on March 6, will concern the main estimates, and not supplementary estimates (C), and that, if an opening in the schedule was found to discuss supplementary estimates (C), the minister would return in April. That's unless the situation has changed.

Is it March 6?

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

It's March 6 for supplementary estimates (C).

[Chris Alexander, Conservative, Ajax—Pickering, ON]

I thought it was main estimates.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

No, it's supplementary estimates (C). Our invitation was for supplementary estimates (C).

[Christine Moore, NDP, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

So the meeting in April will be reserved for main estimates.

[Chris Alexander, Conservative, Ajax—Pickering, ON]

I stand corrected.

What about the main estimates, though? Do they need to be reported back by the end of March?

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

We haven't requested that yet as committee.

[Chris Alexander, Conservative, Ajax—Pickering, ON]

I guess my point was that it was one out of the two, and you're right.

Supplementary estimates (C).

[Christine Moore, NDP, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

So supplementary estimates (C) will be discussed on March 6.

[Chris Alexander, Conservative, Ajax—Pickering, ON]

That will be the reason behind his appearance on March 6, and we will discuss the other budget later on.

[Christine Moore, NDP, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

So main estimates will probably be discussed in April.

Very good. Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

Okay, sorry.

[Chris Alexander, Conservative, Ajax—Pickering, ON]

I meant to say the opposite.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

Main estimates need to be reported back at the end of May, or even the first part of June. So there is a timeframe there and we have some time before the minister needs to appear on that.

Are there any other questions? If not, let's get back to our work.

We're on meeting number 68. I want to thank Mr. Harris for taking the chair while I had to table a private member's bill in the House, and we ran late, of course. It was QP today, so it caused my delay, and I apologize for that.

We're doing our clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-15, an act to amend the National Defence Act and to make consequential amendments to other acts. We were in clause 20 when we adjourned on Monday evening.

(On clause 20)

Are there any further comments or questions on clause 20?

Mr. Larose, you have the floor.

[Jean-François Larose, NDP, Repentigny, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I have a few questions about clause 20. I was wondering if Colonel Michael R. Gibson could answer them. I would also like to thank him for joining us today. We appreciate it very much.

Last time, we talked about intermittent sentences served over the weekends. My understanding was that those sentences did not pertain only to reservists, but also to full-time members of the Canadian Forces. That obviously applies to non-commissioned officers.

[Colonel Michael R. Gibson, Deputy Judge Advocate General of Military Justice, Office of the Judge Advocate General, Department of National Defence]

Mr. Chair, to respond to that question, yes, clause 20, which amends subsection 142(2) of the act, would apply generally to all members of the Canadian Forces. The particular provision for having intermittent sentences is anticipated to be perhaps of most benefit to reservists, but that provision would apply to both regular force and reserve members.

[Jean-François Larose, NDP, Repentigny, QC]

My understanding is that the reason a regular force NCO would end up being a private while incarcerated—if he does intermittent service, meaning only on the weekends—is that during the week he would remain a soldier. Is that correct, or have I misunderstood that? Or is it only when he is incarcerated?