NDDN Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on National Defence met at 8:48 a.m. this day, in Room 362, East Block, the Chair, the Hon. Peter Kent, presiding.

Jack Harris gave notice of the following motion:

That the Committee receive and consider Policy Recommendations adopted by the NATO Parliamentary Assembly at its Annual Session in Dubrovnik, Croatia, on October 14, 2013.

Jack Harris moved, — That, in the Standing Committee on National Defence, the Chair may receive a motion to move in camera only for the purpose of discussing:

(a) wages, salaries and other employee benefits;

(b) contracts and contract negotiations;

(c) labour relations and personnel matters;

(d) a draft agenda or draft report; and

(e) documents or matters requiring confidentiality, such as national security;

and that furthermore, that all votes taken in camera be recorded in the minutes, including which member voted which way when recorded votes are requested.

Joyce Murray moved, — That the motion be amended by adding the following paragraph after paragraph “(e)”, “(f) any other motion which the Committee agrees by unanimous consent to consider in camera”.

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the amendment of Joyce Murray and it was negatived on the following recorded division: YEAS: Tarik Brahmi, Jack Harris, Jean-François Larose, Élaine Michaud, Joyce Murray — 5; NAYS: Mike Allen, James Bezan, Cheryl Gallant, Rick Norlock, John Williamson, Wai Young — 6.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived on the following recorded division:YEAS: Tarik Brahmi, Jack Harris, Jean-François Larose, Élaine Michaud, Joyce Murray — 5; NAYS: Mike Allen, James Bezan, Cheryl Gallant, Rick Norlock, John Williamson, Wai Young — 6.

The Chair presented the First Report from the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure. The Report was concurred in and read as follows:

That, in relation to its study of the care of ill and injured Canadian Armed Forces members, the Standing Committee on National Defence travel to CFB Petawawa on December 5, 2013, and to CFB Shilo in Winter/Spring 2014, and that the necessary staff do accompany the Committee.

That, in relation to its study of the defence of North America, the Standing Committee on National Defence travel to CFB Winnipeg in winter/spring 2014, and that the necessary staff do accompany the Committee.

At 9:11 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 9:16 a.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

It was agreed, — That in relation to the study of Care of Ill and Injured Canadian Armed Forces Members, the proposed budget in the amount of $ 2,461.85 for the Committee’s travel to Petawawa, Ontario during the Fall - Winter 2013 season, be adopted.

It was agreed, — That in relation to the studies of Defence of North America and of Care of Ill and Injured Canadian Armed Forces Members, the proposed budget in the amount of $ 40,297.40 for the Committee’s travel to Winnipeg and Shilo, Manitoba, during the Winter - Spring 2014 season, be adopted.

The Committee commenced consideration of a draft report.

It was agreed, — That paragraph 9 be adopted as amended.

It was agreed, — That paragraph 41 be adopted as amended.

It was agreed, — That the draft report , as amended, 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 the report be entitled: "NATO’s Strategic Concept and Canada’s role in international defence cooperation".

It was agreed, — That the Committee append to its report dissenting or supplementary opinions, immediately after the signature of the Chair, and be submitted electronically, in both official languages, to the Clerk of the Committee, no later than 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

It was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the Committee request that the Government table a comprehensive response to the report.

It was agreed, — That the Chair present the report to the House at the earliest opportunity following Thursday, November 28, 2013.

At 9:39 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.