Evidence of meeting #66 for Public Safety and National Security in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was amendment.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Sandro Giammaria  Counsel, Department of Justice
Phaedra Glushek  Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section, Department of Justice
Rachel Mainville-Dale  Acting Director General, Firearms Policy, Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Kellie Paquette  Director General, Canadian Firearms Program, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Philippe Méla  Legislative Clerk
Rob Mackinnon  Director, Canadian Firearms Program, Royal Canadian Mounted Police

5 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon

Thank you, Mr. Gaheer.

Ms. Dancho, you still have the floor.

5 p.m.

Conservative

Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB

Thank you.

I appreciate the intervention. We don't often hear from that member on this committee. I encourage him to speak up more, because we welcome his voice.

Can the officials explain to us how G-24 differs? Does this also impact pre-clearance officers?

5 p.m.

Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section, Department of Justice

Phaedra Glushek

No. This provision is specific to the Canadian Forces or a visiting force of a federal or provincial department—

5:05 p.m.

Conservative

Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB

I'm sorry. What did you say?

5:05 p.m.

Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section, Department of Justice

Phaedra Glushek

I'm sorry. It's for individuals acting under the authority of the Canadian Forces or visiting forces. It is not for pre-clearance. There are specific provisions for specific classes of individuals, as my colleague has said. These are with respect to individuals acting on behalf of police forces, the Canadian Forces and visiting forces.

It's the same rationale as the last motion. It would exempt them from importing, exporting and possessing all of the items in the Criminal Code now, but the government is adding firearm parts to that to allow them to import, export and transfer firearm parts in the course of their duties only.

5:05 p.m.

Conservative

Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB

Thank you for that clarification. You said those acting under the Canadian Armed Forces or police forces. Is that for a municipal police force and the RCMP?

5:05 p.m.

Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section, Department of Justice

Phaedra Glushek

It's limited to federal and provincial.

5:05 p.m.

Conservative

Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB

Okay, it's not municipal. It's OPP and the RCMP, and I believe Quebec has a provincial police force as well.

5:05 p.m.

Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section, Department of Justice

5:05 p.m.

Conservative

Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB

Okay, but it's not municipal ones. Is there a reason not to do that? I guess we don't have jurisdiction.

5:05 p.m.

Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section, Department of Justice

Phaedra Glushek

That's correct.

5:05 p.m.

Conservative

Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB

Have there been consultations with municipalities on this? Are we at risk? If the Winnipeg police were to order a barrel or a slide, which of course they do to upgrade their firearms, and they don't have a PAL, will they be violating the law once this passes?

5:05 p.m.

Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section, Department of Justice

Phaedra Glushek

Do you mean for municipalities?

5:05 p.m.

Conservative

Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB

Yes. You mentioned that this doesn't cover municipal police. Those acting under municipal police forces would not be covered by this. Is that correct?

5:05 p.m.

Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section, Department of Justice

Phaedra Glushek

Correct. I believe there was another provision, though, for police forces—the public officers. They are covered under a different provision in the Criminal Code. It's 117.07, I believe. There is another provision that covers other individuals acting for a police force or an academy, and they are covered under a different exemption.

5:05 p.m.

Conservative

Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB

Thank you for that clarification.

When you say “acting under”, do you mean those who are employed by the CAF or employed by the RCMP or the OPP as subcontractors?

5:05 p.m.

Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section, Department of Justice

Phaedra Glushek

It's “under the authority”, so it may not be an employee specifically. It could be a contractor.

5:05 p.m.

Conservative

Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB

It also includes those in the CAF, not just those subcontractors.

5:05 p.m.

Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section, Department of Justice

Phaedra Glushek

I believe so. It's those who are “under the authority” of the Canadian Forces, which is the broad umbrella, in a sense.

5:05 p.m.

Conservative

Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB

Okay.

I may have to ask about this on the next opportunity, but I'll leave it for now and pick it up the next time.

Thank you.

5:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon

Ms. Dancho, I'm not sure if you took my earlier remark as criticism. It was not meant as such. It was merely an observation that the time we spend here today and tomorrow is going to be burned the following morning. The more efficient we can be with our time.... If we can avoid dwelling on things we've already voted on and avoid dwelling on things we have yet to come to, it will help us get to bed before one on Friday morning.

I believe Mr. Noormohamed had his hand up.

5:05 p.m.

Liberal

Taleeb Noormohamed Liberal Vancouver Granville, BC

I'm good. Thank you.

5:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon

Are there any further interventions?

5:05 p.m.

Conservative

Pierre Paul-Hus Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC

Recorded vote.

5:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon

We're voting on G-24. Are all in favour?