National Defence Committee on Nov. 3rd, 2022

[Christine Normandin, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

I don't know if I have enough time to ask my question.

Without knowing any specific details about the nature of the training Canadian pilots could be giving to Chinese pilots, have any steps already been taken by the Department of National Defence to protect current pilots?

[BGen Denis Boucher]

Thank you for your question, Ms. Normandin.

As it happens, we don't know much about the allegations or the preliminary investigation.

However, the security and protection of our members is a top priority in the armed forces.

Our measures are already very robust in terms of security for our members, security checks on the information they have, their knowledge and their ongoing loyalty to the Canadian Forces. So I don't think we will be asked to strengthen our measures at this time.

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

We're going to have to leave it there.

Ms. Mathyssen, you have two and a half minutes.

[Lindsay Mathyssen, NDP, London—Fanshawe, ON]

Looking at the larger picture on this, do you believe we are doing enough to combat the right-wing radicalization of some former military members? We heard, unfortunately, that there were potentially some links between former military members and the convoy that attacked Ottawa this past winter.

Do you think the government needs to focus more on preventing a lot of that radicalization?

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

We are really straying from the motion and the reason General Boucher was invited here.

[Lindsay Mathyssen, NDP, London—Fanshawe, ON]

It's my time, though.

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

You are inviting him into a realm of speculation—

[Lindsay Mathyssen, NDP, London—Fanshawe, ON]

The whole motion is a realm of speculation.

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

—that is very interesting. I'd be interested in his answer, but I feel that it is a bit beyond....

Where I'm going to leave it, General Boucher, is that you're invited to answer, but I will understand it if you decline.

[BGen Denis Boucher]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I would have to agree with your comment. It's definitely a speculative answer that I would have to give. It's nowhere near where I should be straying at this point. I believe it's not within my purview to answer that.

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

It was a great question.

Go ahead.

[Lindsay Mathyssen, NDP, London—Fanshawe, ON]

That was my only question.

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

That was your only question. Okay.

We're finally with Ms. Gallant.

You have five minutes.

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

Thank you.

General, on what date did you refer the news story to your security partners for investigation?

[BGen Denis Boucher]

I'm afraid I don't know what date that would have been referred to security partners. That's not within the purview of my responsibilities as director general of defence security.

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

Would you please follow up with this committee regarding the date it was referred?

Have any of the security agencies come to the defence department for more information?

[BGen Denis Boucher]

Yes, we will return to you with a date. Absolutely.

I can't speak to what agencies have currently contacted us at present, if that's the question. I'm not sure when that would have taken place. That's not within my purview per se, but I know that we have been in contact.

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

Would you kindly provide us with the answer to the question of which security agencies have come to the defence department for more information?

Which is the lead agency on this investigation?

[BGen Denis Boucher]

I'm not sure which is the lead agency on the investigation. It falls within the purview of the Department of Justice. Again, I'm not aware of who would be the lead investigator for that.

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

Is it the RCMP, or is it CSIS? Who is investigating this? Which agency is it?

[BGen Denis Boucher]

I'm afraid it would be speculation on my part to say who it is. I would assume it is the RCMP, but I do not know that for certain. It's outside of my area of expertise.

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

We know soldiers have trained members of the PRC on Arctic warfare at Base Petawawa. Has our air force participated in any exercises with the PRC pilots present at the exercises?

[BGen Denis Boucher]

I'm not aware of whether or not we've had pilots present during those exercises. In fact, I was not aware that we had done Arctic training with them before this week.

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

Would you find out the answer to that question, please, and provide it to the committee?

In October 2019, members of the CAF participated in the world military games in Wuhan. Did any members of the air force compete?

[BGen Denis Boucher]

I do not know if any members of the air force.... I would assume they probably did, because the Canadian Armed Forces sent a team, but I do not know for certain. We can check and confirm that.