Connect with us

Canada News

A look at the special national security committee of parliamentarians

Published

on

Tony Clement was a charter member of the new National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians. (File Photo: Tony Clement/Facebook)

OTTAWA — Tony Clement was a charter member of the new National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians, which has access to highly classified information. A look at the committee:

What is it?

The committee, created by statute last year, is a multi-party forum that includes representatives from both the House of Commons and the Senate. But it is no ordinary committee. It meets in secret and reports to the prime minister on national security issues.

What exactly does it do?

The committee has authority to review national-security and intelligence activities carried out across the government.

This includes activities of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the cyberspies of the Communications Security Establishment, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canada Border Services Agency, among many others.

Similar committees have existed for years in the United States and Britain, prompting the Liberal government to establish one here to improve oversight and accountability of the intelligence world.

The committee submits reports, including an annual review, to the prime minister. Redacted versions of reports are tabled in Parliament.

Who serves on the committee?

MP David McGuinty (chairman), Sen. Percy Downe, Sen. Frances Lankin, Sen. Vern White, MP Emmanuel Dubourg, MP Hedy Fry, MP Gudie Hutchings, MP Murray Rankin, MP Brenda Shanahan.

Are they sworn to secrecy?

All members hold Top Secret security clearances and are permanently bound to secrecy under the Security of Information Act. Members swear an oath or solemn affirmation indicating they will obey and uphold the laws of Canada, and will not communicate or inappropriately use information obtained in confidence during their committee work.

What were members told about security?

Shortly after being appointed to the committee, all members were given a comprehensive security briefing by the Privy Council Office and other security agencies. “In fact, we regularly review our security obligations given how important this is to our credibility,” says Rennie Marcoux, executive director of the committee secretariat.

What has the committee been doing?

In May, the committee provided a special report to the prime minister on security concerns surrounding his February 2018 trip to India. Members then held further deliberations on the report and provided an updated version to Trudeau last month.

The committee is also conducting two other reviews, one examining how the government establishes national intelligence priorities and another looking at the intelligence activities of the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Maria in Vancouver

Lifestyle2 weeks ago

We Are The Sum Of Our Choices

Most people tell me I’m lucky. No, darlings. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH LUCK. I worked hard for most...

Lifestyle1 month ago

Never Settle For Less Than You Are

Before I became a mother, before I became a wife, before I became a business partner to my husband, I...

Lifestyle2 months ago

Celebrating My Womanhood

The month of March is all about celebrating women and what better way to celebrate it than by enjoying and...

Lifestyle2 months ago

Maria’s Funny Valentine With An Ex!

Maria in Vancouver can’t help but wonder: when will she ever flip her negative thoughts to positive thoughts when it...

Lifestyle2 months ago

The Tea on Vancouver’s Dating Scene

Before Maria in Vancouver met The Last One seven years ago and even long before she eventually married him (three...

Lifestyle3 months ago

How I Got My Groove Back

Life is not life if it’s just plain sailing! Real life is all about the ups and downs and most...

Lifestyle4 months ago

Upgrade Your Life in 2025

It’s a brand new year and a wonderful opportunity to become a brand new you! The word upgrade can mean...

Maria in Vancouver4 months ago

Fantabulous Christmas Party Ideas

It’s that special and merry time of the year when you get to have a wonderful excuse to celebrate amongst...

Lifestyle5 months ago

How To Do Christmas & Hanukkah This Year

Christmas 2024 is literally just around the corner! Here in Vancouver, we just finished celebrating Taylor Swift’s last leg of...

Lifestyle6 months ago

Nobody Wants This…IRL (In Real Life)

Just like everyone else who’s binged on Netflix series, “Nobody Wants This” — a romcom about a newly single rabbi...