PCO's Ministers

Deputy Prime Minister Introduces Bill to Establish a National Security Committee of Parliamentarians

OTTAWA, November 24, 2005 — Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan today introduced legislation in the House of Commons to establish a National Security Committee of Parliamentarians, fulfilling a commitment made by the Prime Minister and reiterated in the Action Plan for Democratic Reform and the National Security Policy. 

“This committee will represent an unprecedented, made-in-Canada approach that keeps our commitment to provide Parliament with a new and important role in national security,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.  “I look forward to working with all parties to adopt this legislation and establishing this committee as soon as possible.”

The mandate of the National Security Committee of Parliamentarians would be to review the legislative, regulatory, policy and administrative framework for national security in Canada and activities of the federal departments and agencies relating to national security.  The committee’s work would build on, but not duplicate, the work of other review bodies.

According to the legislation tabled today, the Committee would consist of up to nine Parliamentarians from both government and opposition parties, and from both the Senate and the House of Commons.  The committee would report directly to the Prime Minister, who in turn would table the reports in Parliament.

The Committee would be provided with information, which could include classified information, required to fulfill its mandate. Appropriate safeguards will be put in place to protect information, ensure the safety of persons, investigations and operations, and protect Canada ’s relationships with its allies.

The Deputy Prime Minister thanked members of the Interim Committee of Parliamentarians on National Security, and in particular Derek Lee, MP (Scarborough – Rouge River), for their contribution and valuable advice in the development of the legislation.

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