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NDDN Committee Meeting

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Minutes of Proceedings

Standing Committee on National Defence (NDDN)

44th Parliament, 1st Session

Meeting 77

Thursday, October 26, 2023, 3:42 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Room 330, Wellington Building, 197 Sparks Street

Webcast

Presiding

Hon. John McKay (Liberal)

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Members of the Committee present

Liberal

Conservative

Bloc Québécois

Christine Normandin

Acting Members present

• Scott Aitchison for Shelby Kramp-Neuman (Conservative)

• Peter Fragiskatos for Darren Fisher (Liberal)

• Alistair MacGregor for Lindsay Mathyssen (NDP)

In attendance

Library of Parliament

• Andrés León, Analyst

Briefing on the Parliamentary Budget Officer's Report, Entitled ''A Force Structure Model of Canada’s Military: Costs and Personnel''

Witnesses

Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer

• Yves Giroux, Parliamentary Budget Officer

• Christopher Penney, Advisor-Analyst

• Binyam Solomon, Special Advisor

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee proceeded to a briefing on the Parliamentary Budget Officer's Report, entitled ''A Force Structure Model of Canada’s Military: Costs and Personnel''.

Yves Giroux made a statement and, with the other witnesses, answered questions.

At 5:16 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 5:21 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Committee Business

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

Motion

James Bezan moved, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study of the almost‑one‑billion dollar cuts to the Canadian Armed Forces and the impact this will have; that the committee hold a minimum of three meetings on the topic; that the committee invite the President of the Treasury Board, the Minister of National Defence, and the Chief of the Defence Staff to appear before the committee; and that the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House.

Debate arose thereon.

Amendment

Marie-France Lalonde moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing every word after the word "That" with the following:

''Whereas, Budget 2023 announced reductions in spending on consulting, other professional services, and travel;

Whereas, these reductions will not impact direct benefits and service delivery to Canadians, direct transfers to other orders of government and Indigenous communities, and the Canadian Armed Forces;

That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study on all Defence expenditures since 2013 and their impacts of the operational readiness of the Canadian Armed Forces;

That the committee hold a minimum of three meetings for this study and that the committee invite the Minister of National Defence, the Chief of the Defence Staff, and the Deputy Minister of the Department of National Defence to appear before the committee for the study; and that the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House.''.

Debate arose thereon.

At 5:30 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Andrew Wilson

Clerk of the committee