JUST Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Justice, Human Rights, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness met at 3:32 p.m. this day, in Room 269 West Block, the Chair, Paul DeVillers, presiding.

The witnesses made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:18 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 5:20 p.m., the sitting resumed in camera to discuss Committee business.

It was agreed, — That pursuant to Standing Order 108(1)(a) and (b) a Subcommittee on Public Safety and National Security, composed of 7 members, (3 members from the Liberal Party, 2 members from the Conservative Party of Canada, 1 member from the Bloc Quebecois and 1 member from the New Democratic Party) including a Chair from the government, be established with all the powers of the Committee and pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) the mandate of the said Subcommittee shall include review and consideration of:

• all legislation introduced into Parliament by the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, including legislation relating to the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada, Correctional Service Canada, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Canada Border Services Agency, the Canadian Firearms Centre, the National Parole Board, the Office of the Correctional Investigator, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Complaints Commission and the External Review Committee of the RCMP;

• the budgets, and the propriety and efficacy of the functions performed, and the powers exercised by the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada, Correctional Service Canada, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Canada Border Services Agency, the Canadian Firearms Centre, the National Parole Board, the Office of the Correctional Investigator, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Complaints Commission;

• as required by law, the review of C-36 the Anti-terrorism Act;

• studies that the Subcommittee may approve from time to time in the areas of public safety and national security;

• the Annual Report to Parliament of the Security Intelligence Review Committee (SIRC); All Special Reports made by SIRC under section 54 of the CSIS Act; The operations of the SIRC on behalf of Parliament and any other matter related to the SIRC that the Committee may deem necessary;

• other matters as may be referred to it from time to time by the Standing Committee.

It was agreed, — That the Committee accept the invitation to visit the DNA data bank at RCMP Headquarters.

At 5:38 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.