Science and Research Committee on Sept. 24th, 2026

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

No, as I indicated, we have scheduled the session for October 27, but there is no chief statistician now, so some representative can come. This appointment is not going to happen before October 27.

Are we okay to have a representative from there, or should we wait until the appointment is done?

Go ahead, MP Ho.

[Vincent Ho, Conservative, Richmond Hill South, ON]

Thanks, Madam Chair.

Why not do both? Can we have the interim come and then have the new representative come at a later date?

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

The motion we have is for one meeting, so maybe I will ask MPs to discuss this amongst themselves and let me know in the next week how to proceed on that.

MP Noormohamed, go ahead.

[Taleeb Noormohamed, Liberal, Vancouver Granville, BC]

The motion says “the Chief Statistician”, not “or representative”. Is that correct? The motion is clear. I think we should adhere to the motion. On this basis, we should wait until the new person is there. Otherwise, it seems as though we're not following the motion that we all put forward.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

Okay, the second thing is that the committee set a deadline to submit written instructions to the analysts regarding the draft report on the study of Canada's dual-use and defence research needs.

Go ahead, MP McKelvie.

[Jennifer McKelvie, Liberal, Ajax, ON]

Madam Chair, have we received the summary of research?

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

Do you mean the summary of evidence?

[Jennifer McKelvie, Liberal, Ajax, ON]

Yes, I mean the summary of evidence. What is your timeline for the summary of evidence?

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

I'll consult with the analysts.

That will be provided by next week. Maybe after that we can decide on the deadline.

[Jennifer McKelvie, Liberal, Ajax, ON]

I would say a week after we receive the summary of evidence.

[Taleeb Noormohamed, Liberal, Vancouver Granville, BC]

Potentially next Friday, a week from—

[Jennifer McKelvie, Liberal, Ajax, ON]

I'm worried about receiving the summary of evidence.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

Once it is circulated, then we can decide on the deadline.

[Jennifer McKelvie, Liberal, Ajax, ON]

Just to clarify, it will summarize both the oral and the written submissions. There were quite a few written submissions.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

Hold on one second. The analyst will add to this.

[Grégoire Gayard, Committee Researcher]

What we usually provide is a list of themes discussed during the meetings and in the briefs, but we can do something more substantial if this is what you want.

[Jennifer McKelvie, Liberal, Ajax, ON]

No. I think that's okay. I just want to make sure the themes you're going to send back will include the input from the written submissions. You've evaluated that as well.

[Grégoire Gayard]

Yes.

[Jennifer McKelvie, Liberal, Ajax, ON]

Okay. That's my question.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

With that, do I have the will of the committee to adjourn the meeting?

Hold on one second.

Yes, MP Ho, go ahead.

[Vincent Ho, Conservative, Richmond Hill South, ON]

I think we can wait. I'm looking at the motion again. We should wait for the appointment of the new chief statistician. We can get some fulsome answers after he or she has had some time to be acquainted with the office. However, we definitely don't want to concede this motion. We definitely want to welcome the new appointee.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

Thank you to everyone once again. Have a nice week in the riding.

The meeting is adjourned.