The committee proceeded to the consideration of matters related to committee business.

The Chair presented the Fourth Report from the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, which read as follows:

Your subcommittee met on April 18, 2023, to consider the business of the committee and agreed to make the following recommendations:

1. That the committee undertake a study of no fewer than four meetings to review how the readiness of the Canadian Armed Forces is impacted by Canada’s procurement processes and the capabilities of our defence industry to ensure that the Canadian military’s needs are being met; that the Department of National Defence, Canadian Armed Forces, Public Service and Procurement Canada, Office of the Auditor General, Parliamentary Budget Officer, Treasury Board, defence industry, military procurement experts and academics be invited to testify before committee on this matter; and that the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House.

2. That witness lists for the Procurement study be submitted to the Clerk no later than May 2, 2023.

3. That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), upon the release of the first progress report, the Standing Committee on National Defence invite External Monitor Jocelyne Therrien and the Minister of National Defence to testify for at least two hours.

It was agreed, — That the Fourth Report from the subcommittee be concurred in.

On motion of Bryan May, it was agreed, — That the proposed budget in the amount of $1,500, for the Briefing on the War in Ukraine, be adopted.

Kerry Buck, Ihor Michalchyshyn and Orest Zakydalsky made statements and answered questions.

At 9:54 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 9:59 a.m., the sitting resumed in public.

Jack Watling made a statement and answered questions.