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Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security: Minister's mandate letter ()
Committee overview
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House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security (SECU) was created on , at the start of the 39th Parliament. The Committee is responsible for one of the largest departmental portfolios, including close to 140 statutes administered by the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and its agencies, including the CBSA.
Committee mandate
SECU reviews the legislation, policies, programs and expenditure plans of government departments and agencies responsible for public safety and national security, policing and law enforcement, corrections and conditional release of federal offenders, emergency management, crime prevention and the protection of Canada's borders.
The Standing Orders of the House of Commons provide that the committee may review and report on:
- Legislation proposed by the government or Members of Parliament
- Immediate, medium- and long-term expenditure plans, and the effectiveness of their implementation by the department
- An analysis of the relative success of the relevant department, as measured by the results obtained as compared with its stated objectives
- Other matters relating to the mandate, management, organization, or operation of the department in question, as the Committee deems fit
The committee examines the policies, programs and statutes relating to the following departments and agencies:
- Public Safety Canada (PS)
- Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
- Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS)
- Correctional Service Canada (CSC)
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
- Parole Board of Canada (PBC)
- Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (CRCC)
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police External Review Committee (ERC)
- Office of the Correctional Investigator (OCI)
CBSA: Related Committee activity during the 43rd Parliament
1st Session ( to )
Including the meeting during which a Committee Chair and Vice-Chairs were elected, SECU met only 12 times during the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session, and met only 7 times after the House of Commons' first COVID-19-related adjournment on .
CBSA Officials appeared only once: during SECU's examination of the Supplementary Estimates (B), 2019-20 for the Public Safety Portfolio.
Unfinished studies:
- Parole Board and the Circumstances that Led to a Young Woman's Death (last meeting: Thursday, )
- Systemic Racism in Policing in Canada (last meeting: Friday, )
At the end of the session, the Committee's forward plan had been to:
- Hold an additional two meetings in the frame of its study on Systemic Racism in Policing in Canada
- Invite the Chair of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) to present that Committee's report
- Discuss the eventual continuation of its study on the Parole Board and the Circumstances that Led to a Young Women's Death
2nd Session ( to present)
On , the House of Commons adopted a motion authorizing Standing Committees to conduct their business remotely: Members may participate in-person or by videoconference; witnesses shall participate by videoconference.
The Committee currently has no established regular meeting times; priority use of House of Commons resources for meetings will be established by an agreement among recognized Party Whips.
Anticipated Business:
- Mandate Letter of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
- Parole Board and the Circumstances that Led to a Young Woman's Death
- Systemic Racism in Policing in Canada
- 2020-21 Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (B)
- Study of Programs that Address the Causes of Youth Gang Involvement
- Cybersecurity in the Financial Sector as a National Economic Security Issue
Meeting summaries
Thursday, : Election of a Chair and Vice-Chairs, Committee Business
John McKay (LPC) was elected Chair, Shannon Stubbs (CPC) was elected first Vice-Chair, Kristina Michaud (BQ) was elected second Vice-Chair.
The Committee adopted a number of motions pertaining to its future business and studies, including that, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee request an appearance by the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness for a full two-hour meeting at his earliest possible convenience to answer questions on his Mandate Letter from the Prime Minister.
Committee members
The Honourable John McKay (Chair)
Political affiliation: Liberal Party of Canada
Constituency: Scarborough — Guildwood, Ontario
- First elected in 1997, currently serving his 8th consecutive term
- Holds Bachelor of Laws degree from Queen's University and practised law privately before entering politics
- Former Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance (2003 to 2005) and to the Minister of National Defence (2015 to 2017)
- Vice-Chair of All-Party Parliamentary Group to End Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking
- Has served as SECU Chair since 2017
Interest in the CBSA
- 43rd Parliament
- Private Member's Business
- Expressed support for Bill S-211, Modern Slavery Act – identical to Mr. McKay's C-423 (debate at second reading in the Senate began but was not completed; sponsored by Sen. Julie Miville-Dechêne (ISG))
- Private Member's Business
- 42nd Parliament
- Private Member's Business
- Sponsored Bill C-423, Modern Slavery Act (did not progress beyond introduction)
- Private Member's Business
Shannon Stubbs (1st Vice-Chair)
Political affiliation: Conservative Party of Canada
Constituency: Lakeland, Alberta
Critic for Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
- First elected in 2015 and re-elected in 2019
- Prior to election, worked as a consultant for clients in the health and pharmaceutical, oil and gas, not for profit and charity, and education sectors
- Former Critic for Natural Resources and Vice-Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Natural Resources (2017 to 2020)
Interest in the CBSA
- 43rd Parliament
- Debates
- Criticized the Government's firearms ban and advocated for additional resources to be allocated to the CBSA to address firearm trafficking, organized crime, and smuggling (SFT, )
- Question Period
- Called on the Government to support the reunification of families separated because of COVID-19 border restrictions, and was critical based on reports of special treatment or exemptions accorded to "elites" ()
- Criticized the timeline against which the Government implemented and enforced COVID-19 border restrictions, arguing closures should have been put in place sooner ()
- Debates
Kristina Michaud (2nd Vice-Chair)
Political affiliation: Bloc Québécois
Constituency: Avignon-La Mitis-Matane-Matapédia, Quebec
Critic for Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Climate Change, Youth, and Sports
- First elected in 2019
- Former political advisor in the office of the interim leader of the Parti Québecois provincial political party, where her files included immigration, secularism, health, social services, French, international relations and the status of women
- Has served as SECU Vice-Chair since
Interest in the CBSA
- 43rd Parliament
- Question Period
- Pressed the Government to establish COVID-19 detection and prevention measures at border crossings and airports () and argued closures should have been put in place sooner ()
- Called on the Government to support the reunification of families separated because of COVID-19 border restrictions ()
- Question Period
Damien Kurek
Political affiliation: Conservative Party of Canada
Constituency: Battle River—Crowfoot, Alberta
- First elected in 2019 in the riding formerly held by Conservative MP Kevin Sorenson
- Previously worked for Mr. Sorenson in Ottawa when he was Minister of State (Finance), as well as more recently in his constituency office
- Fifth-generation farmer; worked seasonally in Alberta's oil and gas sector for nearly a decade
- Worked at the Saskatchewan Legislature in a number of policy, communications, and research roles
- Former member of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy, and Ethics (February to )
Interest in the CBSA
- 43rd Parliament
- None to date
Glen Motz
Political affiliation: Conservative Party of Canada
Constituency: Medicine Hat—Cardston—Warner, Alberta
- First elected in a 2016 by-election and re-elected in 2019
- Served 35 years with the Medicine Hat Police Service and retired as Inspector in 2015
- Recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for dedicated service and the Order of Merit of Police Forces
- Former Deputy/Associate Critic for Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness (2017 to 2019)
- Member of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP)
- Formerly served on SECU from 2017 to 2019
Interest in the CBSA
- 43rd Parliament
- Question Period
- Accused the Government of weakening border protections through its broader public safety priorities, and through its focus on restricting firearm ownership ()
- Debates
- Expressed "cautious optimism" concerning Bill C-3 (43-1), but was critical of a perceived lack of consultation with stakeholders—was also generally critical of the Government's approach to border management concerning irregular migration, removals, and efforts to counter smuggling ()
- Written Questions
- Q-161 (43-1) – Number of active CBSA officers for each year since 2014
- Q-253 (43-1) – Statistics on crimes committed with firearms, including for individuals found to have entered Canada illegally
- Question Period
- 42nd Parliament
- Strong and frequent opponent to the government's management of irregular migration, border security screening, and access to firearms (throughout)
- Debates
- Expressed support for Bill C-98 (42-1), but was critical of the fact the legislation was not brought forward earlier ()
- Written Questions
- Q-1346 – Suspected or known terrorists coming or returning to Canada
- Q-1687 – Details on deportation and removal of individuals subject to an appropriate order since 2016
- Q-1688 – Details on Government outreach and travel to the U.S. for the purpose of discouraging irregular migration to Canada
- Q-2109 – STCA exemptions for individuals with a relative who crossed the Canadian border irregularly
- Q-2332 – Ministerial holds on deportation orders since 2015
Tako Van Popta
Political affiliation: Conservative Party of Canada
Constituency: Langley—Aldergrove, British Columbia
- First elected in 2019
- Worked for over 30 years at law firm McQuarrie Hunter LLP
- Interested in business development, urban planning, and has volunteered extensively with health and seniors' care organizations
- His constituency has one of four B.C. Lower Mainland border crossings
- His membership on SECU constitutes his first Standing Committee assignment since election (though he has attended a few meetings of the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology as an alternate member)
Interest in the CBSA
- 43rd Parliament
- Debates
- Expressed support for Bill C-3 (43-1), but was critical of a perceived lack of consultation with stakeholders ()
- Question Period
- Criticized the Government's firearms ban and advocated instead for better border enforcement and illegal firearms smuggling prevention ()
- Debates
Jack Harris
Political affiliation: New Democratic Party of Canada
Constituency: St. John's East, Newfoundland and Labrador
Critic for Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Foreign Affairs, and Deputy Critic for Defence
- First elected in a 1987 by-election, but defeated in the 1988 general election
- Elected again in 2008 and 2011, defeated in 2015, and elected most recently in 2019
- Served as a member of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly from 1990 to 2006 and led that province's New Democratic Party from 1992 to 2006
- Has experience in community organizing, journalism and law, and was a senior labour lawyer for many years
- Has previously served as the NDP's critic for Public Safety, Justice, and National Defence
- Has served as a member of SECU, of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, and of the House of Commons Special Committee on Canada-China Relations since
Interest in the CBSA
- 43rd Parliament
- Debates
- Expressed support for the intent of Bill C-3 (43-1), but also shared reservations regarding a perceived lack of consultation with union stakeholders, the extent to which the review body would be adequately equipped and resourced to fulfill its mandate, and the exclusion of investigations related to actions taken while an individual is in detention ()
- Committee (SECU)
- Expressed concern about the CRCC's caseload and the prospect of it increasing because of Bill C-3 (43-1) ( Estimates Appearance)
- Debates
- 40th, 41st, and 42nd Parliaments
- Generally supportive of calls for (e.g., Justice O'Connor's 2010 recommendation) and efforts to implement (e.g., S-222 from 41-2 and S-205 from 42-1) a review body for the CBSA
Pam Damoff
Political affiliation: Liberal Party of Canada
Constituency: Oakville North-Burlington, Ontario
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services
- First elected in 2015 and re-elected in 2019
- Former Oakville Town Councillor (2010 to 2015), community activist, and business professional with over 25 years' corporate experience on Bay Street
- Advocate for women's rights and former Vice-Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women; especially concerned by domestic violence and unrestricted access to firearms
- Former Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health (February to )
- Has served as a member of SECU since 2016
Interest in the CBSA
- 43rd Parliament
- Debates
- Delivered a speech in support of Bill C-3 (43-1) at Second Reading ()
- Spoke positively of the Government's efforts to ban certain firearms and to enhance the CBSA's capacity to prevent guns from illegally coming into Canada across the border ( SFT debate; C-3 Debate)
- Debates
Angelo Iacono
Political affiliation: Liberal Party of Canada
Constituency: Alfred-Pellan, Quebec
- Defeated in 2011, first elected in 2015 and re-elected in 2019
- Studied political science at McGill University, civil law at UQAM, and completed a Juris Doctor degree at the University of Ottawa
- Considers himself a staunch defender of Canadian values and has been actively involved in politics since his teens, striving to humanize the profession
- Former Member of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure, and Communities (2016 to 2019)
- Has served as a member of SECU since
Interest in the CBSA
- 43rd Parliament
- None to date
- 42nd Parliament
- Committee (TRAN)
- Interested in border modernization in the context of the Canadian Transportation and Logistics Strategy ()
- Committee (TRAN)
Kamal Khera
Political affiliation: Liberal Party of Canada
Constituency: Brampton West, Ontario
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development
- First elected in 2015 and re-elected in 2019
- A first-generation Canadian, registered nurse, and community volunteer; previously served as chairperson of the South Asian Canadians Heritage Foundation
- Former Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health (2015 to 2017) and to the Minister of National Revenue (2017 to 2018)
- Former member of the House of Commons Standing Committees on Finance (2017 to 2018) and on Foreign Affairs and International Development (2018 to 2019)
- Has served as a member of SECU since
Interest in the CBSA
- 43rd Parliament
- Committee (SECU)
- Interested in the collection of race-based data for victims of crime and for complainants to the CRCC ()
- Expressed support for Government investments made to stem the flow of firearms into Canada and the GTA ()
- Committee (SECU)
Joël Lightbound
Political affiliation: Liberal Party of Canada
Constituency: Louis-Hébert, Quebec
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
- First elected in 2015 and re-elected in 2019
- Prior to election, practiced law in the Quebec City area with a firm specializing in immigration law
- Former Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health (2017) and to the Minister of Finance (2017 to 2019)
- Former Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics (2016 to 2017)
Interest in the CBSA
- 43rd Parliament
- As Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, regularly participates in Question Period and House debates on the Minister's behalf
Gagan Sikand
Political affiliation: Liberal Party of Canada
Constituency: Mississauga—Streetsville, Ontario
- First elected in 2015 and re-elected in 2019
- Holds an Honours B.A. with a double major in Crime and Deviance and Philosophy with a minor in Anthropology, and an LLB Law degree
- Previously worked for the Attorney General of Ontario, and the Ontario Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs
- Former Member of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure, and Communities (2016 to 2019)
- Has served as a member of SECU since
Interest in the CBSA
- 43rd Parliament
- None to date
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