Public Safety Committee on June 2nd, 2022

[Tako Van Popta, Conservative, Langley—Aldergrove, BC]

Of course we'd be concerned and of course we'd react to it, but is there risk mitigation? Would we have a plan B if something like that were to happen?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

Again, that's a question perhaps better put to the ministers responsible for that.

By the way, there are 10 sectors of critical infrastructure in this country. Each one of them is the responsibility of a particular minister. In addition, every one of those ministers is responsible for developing an emergency response plan, which includes mitigation and prevention measures. That forms part of the federal emergency response plan.

I don't have the particulars in front of me, unfortunately, of that plan, but it does form part of our overall federal emergency response plan.

[Tako Van Popta, Conservative, Langley—Aldergrove, BC]

Good. Thank you.

I have a question about the North Warning System and NORAD, which is a partnership we have with the United States of America.

We had witnesses appear before this committee telling us that the infrastructure and the technology are woefully out of date and need to be upgraded. The infrastructure is designed to track a bomber, for example, coming over the North Pole to North America, but it is not designed for hypersonic missiles today.

I know it's a national defence issue as well, but in your department is this a matter of concern at all?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

Yes, of course, and of course we've had discussions.

As you quite correctly pointed out, national defence is responsible for that. I know the Minister of Defence has, within her mandate provided by the Prime Minister, a responsibility for the renewal of NORAD. You're right that the system as it was designed many years ago was to deal primarily with airplane incursion into Canadian airspace. Now there is an evolving series of threats, including, obviously, hypersonic missiles. That renewal is part of that responsibility.

I'm aware of that work, but questions with respect to its progress are better put to the Minister of Defence.

[Tako Van Popta, Conservative, Langley—Aldergrove, BC]

I understand that. I respect that.

Deputy Minister, do you have anything to add to that?

[Rob Stewart]

Yes, indeed, I could add to that.

Underneath the federal emergency response plan that is under the responsibility of Minister Blair, we have a layered set of plans, including those for events such as attacks. In the realm of emergency preparedness, they are to deal with warning, early response, coordination and early recovery.

It's not about defence as much as it is about managing what would happen on the ground. That's a shared responsibility with the provinces and territories, so we have a very joined-up system of response in the event of a certain set of scenarios.

[Tako Van Popta, Conservative, Langley—Aldergrove, BC]

Thank you.

I'll pass on my time.

[The Chair, Liberal, Jim Carr]

Thank you.

We will turn for the last slice to Mr. Chiang.

[Paul Chiang, Liberal, Markham—Unionville, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I'd like to thank the minister and the deputy minister for joining us today for this important discussion about our national security.

Minister, in March you chaired an incident response group meeting discussing Russia's ongoing violation of international law and military aggression towards Ukraine.

Could you provide an update to this committee on the work that is being done within your department to address these serious issues?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

Let me also characterize that work as a whole-of-government response, certainly as it pertained to discussions around the sanctions that Canada has imposed, and that has been largely led by our Minister of Foreign Affairs. With respect to the support that we've been able to provide to the Ukrainian military, again these are questions more appropriately, I think, put to the Minister of Defence.

What we have learned about our response to emergencies of all kinds in this country is that they are not siloed into one ministry. One of my responsibilities in chairing that committee, for example, is to bring about a greater collaboration and coordination among all of the ministries so that we can all work more collaboratively together. There's also a responsibility to work very closely with our partners, both internationally and domestically, and with the provinces and territories.

For example, we have a table of senior officials responsible for emergency management, who also work very closely together to bring collaboration between the provinces, territories and ourselves. I think some really important work is also going on with both the private sector and with indigenous communities to bring that level of collaboration. That's really the responsibility that my department has in ensuring that we all work really well together and that nothing falls through the cracks.

[Paul Chiang, Liberal, Markham—Unionville, ON]

Thank you, Minister.

I understand we've been talking about cybersecurity or cyber-attacks, but due to the war in Ukraine, has Canada stepped up to high alert for cyber-attacks from Russia or any other nation?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

I can acknowledge that there is a heightened vigilance currently in place, particularly with the Communications Security Establishment, the RCMP and CSIS, with respect to any form of interference, including cyber, that could take place in this country. We're working with our partners in the private sector as well. We have met with them and encouraged additional vigilance and better preparation on their part as well.

The work of building resilience into our critical cyber systems in this country is ongoing, because those who seek to attack it are innovative. They come up with a new way to attack us every day, so it requires just as much vigilance on our part to always be prepared to respond.

[Paul Chiang, Liberal, Markham—Unionville, ON]

Thank you, Minister.

We know that together Russia and Ukraine account for about 29% of global wheat exports, and Ukraine is also a major exporter of corn. As the world becomes increasingly concerned about the global food emergency resulting from this war, what steps are you taking to ensure that Canada is adequately prepared to address these issues of food shortage?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

We're working on a couple of fronts. First of all, we are developing our own national strategy on securing supply chains in this country, because we recognize their importance not just for agricultural products and food products—although food security is a very important issue of course for us—but also with respect to energy and other essential supplies and trade corridors.

We are also recognizing that there's going to be a significant global impact—exactly as you described—and there are countries in the world that are heavily reliant on food products, particularly wheat, that traditionally come from Ukraine and Russia, all of which have been interrupted by the conflict that's currently taking place as a result of the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia. There is an impact globally.

I'm aware, because I've been involved at the table in discussions, of the efforts of Canadian agriculture in an effort to respond. I will tell you that although there's obviously an inflationary impact on food products as a direct result of that conflict, Canada is prepared to provide assurances of a secure food supply for this country. However, we are very concerned about the global impact that it's going to have, and there are other regions of the world that are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of that conflict.

[Paul Chiang, Liberal, Markham—Unionville, ON]

Thank you very much, Minister.

Deputy Minister, would you have anything to add to this food shortage issue we have?

[Rob Stewart]

I would add only that this is an issue of global significance and concern, and it is in discussions in global fora around the world on food security.

[Paul Chiang, Liberal, Markham—Unionville, ON]

In other words, it impacts everybody, not just Canada alone.

[Rob Stewart]

That's correct.

[Paul Chiang, Liberal, Markham—Unionville, ON]

Thank you so much. That's it for my questions.

[The Chair, Liberal, Jim Carr]

Thank you very much.

Colleagues, on your behalf, I want to thank the minister and the deputy for sharing this hour with us. We can only imagine the intensity of the conversations that are happening, and you're ever alert. Every day offers a new challenge and a new vulnerability. We're very grateful that you have shared with us your best perspective and intelligence on the current state of play.

On behalf of members of the committee and, indeed, all parliamentarians, I thank you very much for your appearance in front of the committee today.

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair and colleagues, for the opportunity to come and speak with you today.

[The Chair, Liberal, Jim Carr]

Colleagues, we have a short break and then we go in camera.

[Proceedings continue in camera]