MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
(Meeting No. 13)
The Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security met in camera at 9:15 a.m. this day, in Room 362, East Block, the Chair, Garry Breitkreuz, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Garry Breitkreuz, Gord Brown, Hon. Raymond Chan, Joe Comartin, Hon. Irwin Cotler, Laurie Hawn, Mark Holland, Dave MacKenzie, Serge Ménard and Rick Norlock.
Acting Members present: France Bonsant for Carole Freeman and Paul Zed for Hon. Maurizio Bevilacqua.
In attendance: Library of Parliament: Wade Raaflaub, Analyst.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference of May 19, 2006, the Committee commenced its study of the Review of the Anti-terrorism Act (2001).
It was agreed, — That the draft report of the Subcommittee on the Review of the Anti-terrorism Act be adopted.
It was agreed, — That the Chair, Clerk and Analyst be authorized to make such grammatical and editorial changes as may be necessary without changing the substance of the report.
It was agreed, — That 500 copies, in bilingual format, shall be printed.
It was agreed, — That the Chair of the Subcommittee on the Review of the Anti-terrorism Act present the report to the House.
The Committee proceeded to the consideration of matters related to Committee business.
It was agreed, — That the operational budget in the amount of $23,000 for the study of Bill C-12, An Act to provide for emergency management and to amend and repeal certain Acts, be adopted.
It was agreed, — That the proposed budget in the amount of $1,675, for the Committee’s travel to the Canadian Association of Security and Intelligence Studies 2006 Conference from October 26 to October 28 in Ottawa, be adopted and that the First Vice-Chair present the said budget to the Budget Subcommittee of the Liaison Committee.
It was agreed, — That the honorable Anne McLellan be invited to appear in relation to the study of the report of the Commission of Inquiry on the events relating to Maher Arar.
It was agreed, — That RCMP Commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli be recalled to appear in relation to the study of the report of the Commission of Inquiry on the events relating to Maher Arar.
It was agreed, — That the honorable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, be recalled to appear in relation to the study of the report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Actions of Canadian Officials in Relation to Maher Arar.
It was agreed, — That the Canadian Electricity Association, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, representatives from either the Province of Quebec or the Province of Manitoba, and Dr. Jim Young be invited to appear in relation to the Committee's study of Bill C-12, An Act to provide for emergency management and to amend and repeal certain Acts.
At 10:35 a.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 10:36 a.m., the sitting resumed in public.
On motion of Irwin Cotler, it was agreed on division, — That this Committee recommends that the Government of Canada take the following action:
a) Issue an official apology to Maher Arar and his family;
b) Negotiate compensation with Mr. Arar for the ordeal of pain and suffering that he and his family endured;
c) Object to the American government for its breach of domestic and international undertakings in the confinement and rendition of Maher Arar to Syria;
d) Protest to the Syrian government for its torture of Mr. Arar; and
e) Implement all the recommendations of the O’Connor Commission.
On motion of Irwin Cotler, it was agreed on division, — That the Committee adopt these recommendations as a report to the House and that the Chair present this report to the House.
At 10:37 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
Louise Hayes
Clerk of the Committee