2004-08-06 / Call for nominations to Cross-Cultural Roundtable on Security

August 6, 2004 Immediate

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA ANNOUNCES CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
TO CROSS-CULTURAL ROUNDTABLE ON SECURITY

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Anne McLellan and Minister of Justice Irwin Cotler today invited Canadians to nominate candidates for membership in the Cross-Cultural Roundtable on Security.

"Today's announcement meets a key commitment that we made when we released the National Security Policy in April of this year," said Minister McLellan. "Our Government is looking forward to engaging Canadians of diverse backgrounds in an ongoing dialogue on national security issues."

Minister Cotler added, "My hope is that the roundtable will give expression to our shared citizenship and common commitment to the protection of security and human rights in Canada's multi-cultural society."

The Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada and the Minister of Justice will appoint a maximum of 15 members to the Roundtable through the nomination process. Terms are for one year and members may have their terms renewed for a maximum of three terms.

Minister of State for Multiculturalism, Raymond Chan, will also participate in the Roundtable meetings. "We want to strengthen the values of Canada's multicultural democratic society by fostering positive dialogue," said Minister of State Chan. "We will continue to build on what is already a country in which people enjoy freedom and personal security."

Nominees should have the following experience:

awareness of security matters as they relate to the community and relevant community dynamics;
knowledge and experience in engaging diverse and pluralistic communities;
ability to facilitate the exchange of information with communities; and
commitment to building community capacity and safer communities.

Members must also be Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

The Roundtable's Terms of Reference, Nomination and Selection Criteria as well as nomination forms can be found at www.psepc.gc.ca/roundtable. All nominations must be received or postmarked by September 17, 2004.

For more detailed information, please see the attached backgrounder or call the Roundtable Secretariat at 1 866 222-3006.

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For more information:

Alex Swann
Office of the Honourable Anne McLellan
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
(613) 991-2863

Denise Rudnicki
Office of the Honourable Irwin Cotler
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
(613) 943-8506

Jennifer Bitz
Office of the Honourable Raymond Chan
Minister of State for Multiculturalism
(819) 997-9900

BACKGROUNDER -- CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
CROSS-CULTURAL ROUNDTABLE ON SECURITY

On April 27, 2004, the federal government issued Canada's first comprehensive statement of National Security Policy. Securing an Open Society: Canada's National Security Policy provides an overall framework for national security that addresses gaps, provides an action plan for addressing them, and calls for a more coordinated and integrated security system.

The policy is a long-term strategic framework focused on three core national security interests:

protecting Canada and Canadians at home and abroad;
ensuring Canada is not a base for threats to our allies; and,
contributing to international security.

The National Security Policy sets out measures to be implemented in six key areas -- intelligence, emergency planning and management, public health emergencies, transportation security, border security, and international security.

A key element of the policy is the establishment of the Cross-Cultural Roundtable on Security, created to engage Canadians and the Government of Canada in a long-term dialogue on matters related to national security as they impact a diverse and pluralistic society.

The Government needs the help and support of Canadians to make its approach to security effective. The Roundtable will provide a forum to discuss emerging trends and developments emanating from national security matters and it will serve to better inform policy makers.

The mandate of the Roundtable is to engage Canadians and the Government of Canada in an ongoing dialogue on national security in a diverse and pluralistic society.

The Roundtable will accomplish this by:

providing insights on how national security measures may impact Canada's diverse communities;
promoting the protection of civil order, mutual respect and common understanding; and
facilitating a broad exchange of information between the Government and communities on the impact of national security issues consistent with Canadian rights and responsibilities.

The Roundtable will work with the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness (Minister of PSEP) and the Minister of Justice who will consider its input in the ongoing development of matters relating to national security.

Regular reports on the work of the Roundtable will be given to the Cabinet Committee on Security, Public Health and Emergencies.

Process for Nominating Candidates

Candidates are asked to have a nominator who can describe how they meet the principles outlined in the Nomination and Selection Criteria.

Those persons who would like to nominate a candidate are asked to review the criteria and download the form on the PSEPC website, complete the relevant information, and either fax or mail it by post to the Cross-Cultural Roundtable Secretariat.

All nominations must be received or postmarked by September 17, 2004. The selection of Roundtable members will take place in the fall, and an announcement of Roundtable membership will be made in mid-to-late November, 2004.

Membership

Appointments

The Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada and the Minister of Justice will appoint a maximum of 15 members to the Roundtable. Members may not send substitutes to meetings. Terms are for one year and members may have their terms renewed for a maximum of three terms. Re-appointments will be scheduled to ensure continuity as well as systematic rotation of membership.

Nominations shall be in writing and shall be submitted to the Roundtable Secretariat.

Eligibility

Consideration will be given to Nominees with the following experience:

Awareness of security matters as they relate to the community and relevant community dynamics;
Knowledge and experience in engaging diverse and pluralistic communities;
Ability to facilitate the exchange of information with communities; and
Commitment to building community capacity and safer communities.

Membership should reflect diversity of individuals, expertise and experience. A pre-appointment background check will be conducted should the nominee advance to the final selection stage. The pre-appointment background check mayconsist of a criminal records check and a security assessment.

Although nominees may be affiliated with advocacy groups or community organizations, those appointed as Members to the Roundtable will not be considered as spokespersons for their organizations, but rather, as individuals who are part of a broader ethno-cultural community.

Members must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Roundtable Functions

Chair and Vice-Chair

The Ministers of PSEP and Justice will jointly appoint a Chair and Vice-Chair from among Roundtable members. The Chair and Vice-Chair may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms.

The Chair will work with the Roundtable Secretariat to set agendas and to manage and conduct the business of the Roundtable.

The Vice-Chair, in the absence or incapacity of the Chair, has all the functions of the Chair.

Meetings

The Ministers of PSEP and Justice will meet with the Roundtable at least once per year. The Minister of State for Multiculturalism will be invited by the Ministers of PSEP and Justice to Roundtable meetings.

Senior government officials will attend meetings of the Roundtable, as appropriate.

Meetings of the Roundtable may be either in person or by any other effective means of communication.

The Roundtable will meet at least twice a year and no more than four times a year at the discretion of the Chair and the Ministers.