National Defence Committee on Oct. 27th, 2025

[Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay, Bloc, Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot—Acton, QC]

As I said, I understand that. We wanted to make sure the process was independent, as it should be, because no one can be judge and jury in a case that affects them. That's true across the board.

Now you're also saying that it will be more transparent. What I understand from the bill is that the government, through the minister, will be responsible for the process, but what will be more transparent? Are there mechanisms to prevent any interference? Is there a way to ensure that, when there is an appointment, the mandate is not directly dictated or controlled by politics?

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

Are you talking about the minister, the Prime Minister's Office or the Governor General? Who are you talking about, exactly?

[Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay, Bloc, Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot—Acton, QC]

Let's say it's all of the above.

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

Obviously, there are a lot of rules. There is the Criminal Code, which affects politicians, as well as the federal ethics system. I have trouble imagining a situation where a minister would want to take the risk of interfering in a prosecution. Once again, I believe that having cabinet approve appointments will increase transparency.

[The Chair, Liberal, Charles Sousa]

We will go to the second round, but before we do, there's a raised hand on Zoom, from Lori Idlout. I will have to request unanimous consent from the committee to allow her intervention during this session.

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

No.

[Lori Idlout, NDP, Nunavut, NU]

I'm sorry, but I could not hear what the chair was saying.

[The Chair, Liberal, Charles Sousa]

Ms. Idlout, I just acknowledged that your raised hand is there, and I'm asking the committee for unanimous consent to enable you to speak. We don't have it, unfortunately.

We're going to continue our second round, and it now goes over to—

[Lori Idlout, NDP, Nunavut, NU]

With respect, Chair, I would like to use my own voice to ask for unanimous consent to ask questions about victims of abuse in the Canadian Armed Forces.

[The Chair, Liberal, Charles Sousa]

Ms. Idlout, by all means, request unanimous consent.

[Lori Idlout, NDP, Nunavut, NU]

Qujannamiik, Chair.

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

She's not a member of this committee.

[The Chair, Liberal, Charles Sousa]

Do we have...? The answer is no.

[Lori Idlout, NDP, Nunavut, NU]

I would like to ask questions related to victims of abuse in the Canadian Armed Forces, and I seek the unanimous consent—

[The Chair, Liberal, Charles Sousa]

I appreciate that, and it's important that you do. Unfortunately, we have our committee under way. We have our existing members, who are part of this committee—which you are not, unfortunately—and we must proceed because of time. I don't want to take it away from the members.

Mr. Kibble, it's over to you. You have five minutes.

[Jeff Kibble, Conservative, Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister.

You mentioned working together, and I greatly appreciate that you spoke about the importance of sensitivity and the need for collaboration on this bill, so thank you for that.

Which provincial justice ministers have you spoken to about this bill?

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

Which ones have I spoken to, personally?

[Jeff Kibble, Conservative, Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC]

Yes.

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

None, not since my arrival a few months ago, but I know that my predecessor spoke to a number of them. I'm not sure whether they're all in the same positions now, but there was wide consultation with the provinces.

[Jeff Kibble, Conservative, Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC]

Okay. Thank you.

Which provincial solicitors general have you spoken to?

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

My understanding is that the MOU we have with Ontario builds on a series of conversations with the solicitor general there and the previous one, which led to this negotiation, anchoring it. Now other provinces are being asked to look at the MOU as a possible model to follow, but thus far no provinces have taken up that offer.

[Jeff Kibble, Conservative, Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC]

Thank you.

Were provincial ministers, police forces or Crown attorney associations consulted during the drafting of the bill?

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

My understanding is yes. Their feedback was solicited widely leading up to the drafting and the elements of the bill.

[Jeff Kibble, Conservative, Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC]

Thank you.

Earlier, you mentioned one MOU signed in Ontario. How many MOUs have you signed with civilian police forces regarding the exchange of information for CAF members?

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

That's a good question.

It wouldn't be something that we would normally sign with a police of local jurisdiction. It's much more a question of prosecutorial capacity at the provincial level. The federal government would not necessarily enter into this kind of dialogue with local police forces.