Home Programs National security Cross-Cultural Roundtable on Security About us Terms of reference

Terms of reference

• Overview
• Mandate
• Scope
• Membership
• Roundtable functions
• Secretariat
• Official languages
• Review
• Conflict of interest
• Compensation

Overview

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
• 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 (Roundtable), created to engage 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.

Mandate

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.

Scope

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
• 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 Canada (Minister of PSEPC) 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.

Membership

(A) Appointments

The Ministers of PSEPC and Justice will appoint a maximum of 15 members, not including ex-officio members, to the Roundtable. Members may not send substitutes to meetings. The Ministers of PSEPC and Justice will appoint members for a renewable term of one year, no more than 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.

(B) 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
• Commitment to building community capacity and safer communities

Membership should reflect diversity of individuals, expertise and experience.

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

Roundtable functions

(A) Chair and Vice-Chair

The Ministers of PSEPC 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.

(B) Meetings

The Ministers of PSEPC 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 PSEPC and Justice to Roundtable meetings.

Senior Government of Canada 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.

Secretariat

The Department of PSEPC will provide support to the Roundtable, such as logistics, agenda management, scheduling of meetings and maintaining meeting records.

Official languages

Simultaneous translation in English and in French will be provided at Roundtable meetings.

Review

At the discretion of the Ministers, the terms of reference and membership of the Roundtable may be reviewed and adjusted to respond to changing needs.

Conflict of interest

Before appointment, all potential members will be required to disclose any of their personal circumstances that may place, or be seen to place the member in a real or potential conflict with the mandate and scope of the Roundtable as a forum for dialogue with the Government of Canada. It is the member's responsibility to disclose when their personal situation changes in this regard or where any matters before the Roundtable may directly affect the circumstances of the member.

Roundtable members, who are also a member of, or affiliated with an organization in receipt of government funding, would find themselves in a conflict of interest situation if they were to influence the Roundtable in a way that could benefit that organization.

Compensation

Members will serve on a voluntary basis but will be reimbursed for travel and accommodation costs related to their participation at meetings of the Roundtable in accordance with Treasury Board Guidelines.