Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence (SECD)

43^rd Parliament, 2^nd Session

Gwen Boniface

Chair

ISG – Ontario

Political and parliamentary roles

• Member of the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association.

Committee Membership

• Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence.
• Member of the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.
• Former Member of the Senate Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs.
• Former Member of the Standing Senate Committee on Selection.

Points of Interest to DND/CAF

• Priority Interests:
  • Military justice/sexual misconduct in the CAF
  • Reform of organization culture
  • Mental health
• In Senate QP with the MND, questioned whether DND/CAF was using assessment tools to raise the conviction rate for sexual assault in the CAF.
• In Committee, asked the CDS about how the CAF is evaluating the progress of culture change in the organization.
• In Committee, in reference to the RCMP, questioned how to reform an organization’s culture to lead to better outcomes related to reporting sexual misconduct, crime, or misdeeds.
• In Committee, asked questions related to supporting those with mental health issues.

Other Interests

• Countering human trafficking and sexual exploitation of children.
• Safety of police officers in line of duty.
• Countering transnational criminal organizations and terrorism.

CAF Bases/Wings in Riding

• Nil.

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Pierre-Hughes Boisvenu

CPC – Quebec (La Salle)

Political and Parliamentary Roles

• Member of the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association.

Committee Membership

• Deputy Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence.
• Member of the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.
• Member of the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications.

Points of Interest to DND/CAF

• Priority Interests:
  • Sexual Misconduct
  • Bill C-59, An Act respecting national security matters
  • Op HONOUR
  • Military justice
  • NORAD
  • Information sharing by national security agencies
  • Veterans’ pensions
• Asked in Senate QP in March 2021 about why the Minister of National Defence refused to meet with the Ombudsman after their March 1, 2018 meeting, and why the Declaration of Victims’ Rights had not yet been implemented.
• Believes Bill C-59 is “out of step” with and “a step backwards” in the threats Canada is facing from terrorism, particularly with regard to the Bill’s aspects on promotion of terrorism.
• In Committee, questioned the CDS regarding his zero tolerance policy and how many CAF members have been removed from the CAF over sexual assault convictions, whether through the military justice system or criminal courts; also asked how the CAF intends to recruit more women when it faces issues of sexual misconduct in the ranks.
• Interested in military justice system relating to the rights of victims and crime statistics in the CAF.
• Supports increased Canadian participation in NORAD.
• In Committee, queried how national security agencies share information amongst themselves.
• In Committee, expressed support for life-long pensions for Veterans.
• Critical of Bill C-77’s lack of victim consultations for Declaration of Victims’ Rights.

Other Interests

• Increased funding to the CBC.
• Stopping the phase-out of door-to-door delivery.
• Food security.

CAF Bases/Wings in Riding

• Nil.

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Jean-Guy Dagenais

CSG - Quebec (Victoria)

Political and Parliamentary Role

• Nil.

Committee Membership

• Deputy Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence.
• Member of the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance.
• Member of the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages.
• Former Chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs, and Former Deputy Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence.

Points of Interest to DND/CAF

• Priority Interests:
  • Vice-Admiral Norman
  • Sexual Misconduct
  • Military expenditures such as repairs and construction of ships, fighter jets, coast guard vessels, and army equipment
  • Peace support operations
  • Cannabis use in the CAF
  • Procurement
  • Recruitment and attrition
  • Critical infrastructure
  • National security/intelligence activities
• In March 2021, asked one question during QP regarding the Minister’s decision to not act on the General Vance allegations, and the implementation of the Deschamps Report recommendations.
• On UN peace support operations, has queried about the French composition of a CAF deployment for a peace support operation in Africa.
• In Committee, asked the CDS how the CAF will address the legalization of marijuana.
• Has raised questions about procurement issues, including: capability and capacity gaps with the CAF; RCAF capability gaps; drones; costs of the Super Hornet; how the Australian F/A-18s might be used by the RCAF; and, advocated for more work for Davie Shipyard.
• Has raised concerns about the CAF’s ability to recruit and retain, particularly at the local level with Reserves units; has asked about the budget for Reserve training and equipment.
• On critical infrastructure, has asked about: Canada’s critical infrastructure security in comparison with other countries; cyberattacks; electromagnetic pulse attacks; and security concerns and investments in the North.
• On national security, inquired about surveillance of international travellers that might become radicalized; terrorism funding through charities; and, terrorist threats in Canada as related to increased immigration.
• Moved on 29 May 2019, that SECD investigate the Vice-Admiral Norman Affair due to concerns of perceived political interference in the case. After difficulty confirming key witness, moved to postpone the end of study to August, motion was struck down by House leader on 2 July 2019.
• On 18 November 2020, suggested that the SECD study military expenditures, including F-35s, repair and construction of ships, army equipment, and coast guard ships. 

Other Interests

• Drug policy.

CAF Bases/Wings in Riding

• CFB Montreal.

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Bev Busson

ISG - British Columbia

Political and Parliamentary Roles

• Nil.

Committee Membership

• Member of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence.
• Deputy Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans.
• Member of the Standing Senate Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators.

Points of Interest to DND/CAF

• Priority interests:
  • Women in national security and defence institutions.

Other Interests

• Supportive of firearms safety and gun ownership regulation.

CAF Bases/Wings in Riding

• Nil.

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W. Brent Cotter, Q.C.

ISG - Saskatchewan

Political and Parliamentary Roles

• Nil.

Committee Membership

• Member of the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.
• Member of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence.
• Member of the Standing Senate Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators.

Points of Interest to DND/CAF

• No national defence interests identified.

Other Interests

• Ethics.
• Indigenous peoples.
• Civilian oversight of police discipline boards.
• Advocate of universal basic income.
• Systematic racism in Canada and in Canadian policing.

CAF Bases/Wings in Riding

• Nil.

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Michael Duffy

ISG – Prince Edward Island (Cavendish)

Political and Parliamentary Roles

• Member of the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association.

Committee Membership

• Member of the Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament.
• Member of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence.
• Former Member of the Special Senate Committee on the Charitable Sector.
• Former Member of the Standing Senate Committees on Agriculture and Forestry; and, on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament.

Points of Interest to DND/CAF

• No national defence interests identified at this time.

Other Interests

• Opposed to the release of Omar Khadr from prison.
• Life in Prince Edward Island, particularly heritage and agriculture.

CAF Bases/Wings in Riding

• Nil.

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Marilou McPhedran

ISG - Manitoba

Political and Parliamentary Roles

• Member of the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association.
• Member of the Canada-US Inter-Parliamentary Group.

Committee Membership

• Member of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence.
• Member of the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament.
• Former Member of the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples.

Points of Interest to DND/CAF

• Priority Interests:
  • Sexual misconduct
  • Bill C-77 implementation
  • Role of women in national security organizations
  • Gender-based Analysis+
  • Arctic
  • Mental health/Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Multilateralism
• Inquired about sexual assault convictions in the CAF compared to those in criminal courts and how the Government will improve outreach and services offered to sexual assault survivors in the CAF and veterans.
• In Committee, expressed concern about the role of women in the RCMP, how the RCMP uses performance measures to register improvements related to sexual misconduct inside the RCMP, and the mental health of RCMP officers.
• In Committee, asked the CDS about the adoption of Gender-Based Analysis+ by the CAF as outlined in Strong, Secure, Engaged.
• Attended the NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s visit to Yellowknife and Resolute to learn about the CAF’s role in the Arctic.
• Criticized Bill C-211 (post-traumatic stress disorder), believing the bill too narrow and that it should include all front-line healthcare workers.
• Criticized Bill C-77 (Victims’ Bill of Rights) for unduly requiring victims to request information when involved in a criminal proceeding, rather than having information proactively given to them.
• On 18 November 2020, suggested that the Committee study defence and security aspects of multilateralism in the context of the UN and related multilateral organizations, like NATO.

Other Interests

• Human security/rights.
• Women’s rights and activism in constitutional democratic reform; women’s health/mental health.
• Sexual abuse.
• Promoting the Senate; engaging youth in the work of the Senate.

CAF Bases/Wings in Riding

• 17 Wing Winnipeg.

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Rosemary Moodie

ISG - Ontario

Political and Parliamentary Roles

• Member of the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association.

Committee Membership

• Member of the Standing Senate on National Security and Defence.
• Member of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology.
• Former Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry.

Points of Interest to DND/CAF

• No national defence interests identified.

Other Interests

• Advocate for women and girls, who has made significant contributions to reducing social inequities and health disparities among children and communities locally and internationally.
• Affordable housing.

CAF Bases/Wings in Riding

• CFB Toronto.

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Pierre J. Dalphond

PSG - Quebec (de Lorimier)

Political and Parliamentary Roles

• Member of the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association.
• Member of the Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group.

Committee Membership

• Member of the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.
• Member of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence.
• Deputy Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament.
• Former Member of the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources; on National Finance.

Points of Interest to DND/CAF

• Priority Interests:
  • Royal Military College Saint Jean
• Has visited RMC Saint Jean for a familiarization tour.

Other Interests

• Supported Bill C-76 (elections modernization); advocated for all Canadians to be allowed to vote in federal elections.
• Senate modernization.
• Rights of Quebecois and minorities in Quebec.
• Supports Bill C-7 in principle (medical assisted dying).
• Supportive of Bill C-71 (firearms) and stronger gun restrictions.

CAF Bases/Wings in Riding

• Nil.

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David Richards

CSG - New Brunswick

Political and Parliamentary Roles

• Nil.

Committee Membership

• Member of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence.
• Member of the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance.
• Deputy Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans.
• Former Member of the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights.
• Former Member of the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources.

Points of Interest to DND/CAF

• Priority Interests:
  • CF-18 Replacement
• In Committee, asked how the RCAF would use F/A-18s purchased from Australia, as well as the timeline for the replacement of the CF-18 fleet.

Other Interests

• Life in rural New Brunswick, particularly the Miramichi River valley.
• Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Fishing rights.
• Organ transplants, particularly access of Canadians to them.

CAF Bases/Wings in Riding

• CFB Gagetown.

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Yonah Martin

CPC - British Columbia

Political and Parliamentary Roles

• Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate.
• Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate (2013-2015) and the Deputy Whip of the Government (2011-2013).
• Co-Chair of the Canada Korea Inter-Parliamentary Group since 2009.
• Member of the Canada-US Inter-Parliamentary Group.

Committee Membership

• Member of the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples.
• Member of the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights.
• Member of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence.
• Member of the Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations.
• Member of the Standing Senate Committee of Selection.
• Former Member of the Standing Committee on National Finance.
• Former Member of the Special Senate Committee on Charitable Sector.

Points of Interest to DND/CAF

• Priority Interests:
  • Sexual Misconduct
  • National Shipbuilding Strategy
  • Korea/Korean War
• In March 2021, asked why the Minister of National Defence and Prime Minister did not act on the Vance allegations in 2018, and if more leaders will be “driven out” like LCol Eleanor Taylor.
• During Senate Question Period, asked the Minister about job losses at Seaspan and a capability gap due to delays in the joint support ship program.
• In 2013, her Bill S-213 (Korean War Veterans Day Act), which enacts July 27 as a day of remembrance for Veterans of the Korean War, received Royal Assent.

Other Interests

• Co-founded International Parliamentary Coalition for Victims of Sexual Slavery (IPCVSS), and currently serves as Co-Chair of the Canada Korea Inter-Parliamentary Group.
• Human rights in North Korea.
• Protecting softwood lumber industry.
• Mental health and suicide prevention.
• 5G and Huawei.
• Canada-Korea FTA (2016).

CAF Bases/Wings in Riding

• CFB Esquimalt.
• 19 Wing Comox.

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Victor Oh

CPC - Ontario (Mississauga)

Political and Parliamentary Roles

•  Vice-Chair of the Canada-China Legislative Association.
• Member of numerous Parliamentary Associations, including the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association, Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association, the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas, Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group, and Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group.

Committee Membership

• Member of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence.
• Deputy Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry.
• Former Member of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology.
• Former Member of the Special Senate Committee on the Arctic.

Points of Interest to DND/CAF

• Priority Interests:
  • Sexual misconduct
  • CAF recruitment
  • Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS)
• In Committee, inquired if there were differences in how diverse populations in the CAF reported sexual misconduct, whether more or less frequently than the overall average.
• Inquired about Government legal defence on class action lawsuits on sexual misconduct in the CAF.
• In Committee, asked about CAF recruitment in diverse communities.
• In Committee, asked the CDS about the importance of RPAS to modern warfare.

Other Interests

• Outreach by the Senate, particularly to youth.
• Canada-China relations.
• Children in immigration detention.

CAF Bases/Wings in Riding

• Nil.

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