NDDN Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 7

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

The Standing Committee on National Defence met at 3:36 p.m. this day, in Room 362, East Block, the Chair, Hon. Maxime Bernier, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Claude Bachand, Hon. Maxime Bernier, Dawn Black, Steven Blaney, Ray Boughen, Cheryl Gallant, Laurie Hawn, Hon. Anita Neville, Pascal-Pierre Paillé, LaVar Payne and Hon. Bryon Wilfert.

Acting Members present: Hon. Larry Bagnell for Hon. Denis Coderre.

In attendance: Library of Parliament: James Cox, Analyst ; Wolfgang Koerner, Analyst.

Witnesses: Department of National Defence: Cmdre D. Gardam, Director General - Plans, Strategic Joint Staff; Philippe Hébert, Director, Policy Development, Assistant Deputy Minister - Policy.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the Committee on Monday, February 23, 2009, the Committee proceeded to a briefing on the effect of climate change on the mandate of the Department of National Defence in the Canadian Arctic.

Philippe Hébert and Cmdre D. Gardam made statements and answered questions.

The Committee proceeded to the consideration of matters related to Committee business.

By unanimous consent, Bryon Wilfert moved, — That, in light of the recent statements by Lt. Gen. Andrew Leslie, Chief of Land Staff, that the Canadian military is in “a state of crisis” due to strains of the mission in Afghanistan, the Standing Committee of National Defence undertake a study on the Department of National Defence’s current and future recruitment strategy to attract the needed personnel and resources to meet the current and future demands of the Canadian Forces.

Debate arose thereon.

Laurie Hawn moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “Canadian Forces”, the following:

“and that the Committee undertake this study after its current studies on Health services offered to Canadian Forces personnel and Arctic sovereignty are completed”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Laurie Hawn and it was agreed to.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That, in light of the recent statements by Lt. Gen. Andrew Leslie, Chief of Land Staff, that the Canadian military is in “a state of crisis” due to strains of the mission in Afghanistan, the Standing Committee of National Defence undertake a study on the Department of National Defence’s current and future recruitment strategy to attract the needed personnel and resources to meet the current and future demands of the Canadian Forces and that the Committee undertake this study after its current studies on Health services offered to Canadian Forces personnel and Arctic sovereignty are completed.

At 5:05 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Paul Cardegna
Clerk of the Committee

2010/01/18 2:30 p.m.