Committee Membership and Profiles

44^th Parliament, 1^st Session

John Williamson

CPC – New Brunswick Southwest (NB)

Connection to DND/CAF

• Riding includes part of CFB Gagetown
• Spouse is a senior Officer in the Royal Canadian Navy

Political and Parliamentary Roles

• Critic: Labour (2019 – 2020)
• Parliamentary Association Member: Canada-France Inter-parliamentary Association (2011 – 2015/2022 – Present); Canada-Israel Interparliamentary Group (2022 – Present); Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (2011 – 2015/2022 – Present); Canada-United States Inter-parliamentary Group (2022 – Present); Canada- United Kingdom Inter-parliamentary Association (2022 – Present); Canada NATO Parliamentary Association (2011 – 2013);
• Former Vice-Chair: Canada-United States Inter-parliamentary Group (2011 – 2015);

Committee Membership

• Chair: Standing Committee on Public Accounts (2022 – Present)
• Member: Liaison Committee (2022 – Present); Standing Committee on Public Accounts (2022 – Present)
• Former Member: Special Committee on Canada-China Relations (2020 – 2021); Standing Committee on Official Languages (2011 – 2013/2020 – 2021); Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic (2020); Standing Committee on National Defence (2013 – 2015); Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (2012 – 2013)

Points of Interest to DND/CAF

Arctic and Procurement:

• During his tenure at meetings of the Standing Committee on National Defence (NDDN) from October 2013 to August 2015, Mr. Williamson focused his questions on the CAF's operations, infrastructure, and capabilities in the Arctic region. In his questions, Mr. Williams made frequent reference to Russian capabilities and activity in the Arctic region and expressed concern for Canada's ability to enforce its sovereignty.
• In a House statement on the Opposition Motion on the invasion of Ukraine in March 2022, Mr. Williamson raised concerns over Russian claims in the Arctic. He further cited that Russia was building an Arctic navy which already possessed 40 ice breakers to Canada's inability to "patrol our vast Arctic waters year round with a single vessel."

China:

• In a House statement on the Opposition Motion to re-establish the Special Committee on the Canada-People's Republic of China Relationship in May 2022, Mr. Williamson criticized China's actions regarding Hong Kong, the Uighurs, Beijing's offensive posture in the South China Sea, and he hinted at potential Chinese influence in the federal government. He also reiterated the importance of supporting Taiwan.
• During a meeting of the Canada-China Relations Special Committee (CACN) in May 2021, Mr. Williamson asked about other forms of Chinese influence, such as the impact of Confucius Institutes and was critical regarding scientific cooperation and data sharing with the People's Republic of China, such as the presence in Winnipeg's National Microbiology Lab of Chinese scientists who were affiliated with the People's Liberation Army.

Ukraine:

Op. UNIFIER, NATO, NORAD, Procurement

• In a House statement on the Opposition Motion on the invasion of Ukraine in March 2022, Mr. Williamson raised concerns over Russian claims in the Arctic. He further cited that Russia was building an Arctic navy which already possessed 40 ice breakers in contrast to Canada’s inability to "patrol our vast Arctic waters year round with a single vessel."
• During the same statement, he also stated that "we must also quickly modernize NORAD's early northern warning system and purchase F-35 jets to patrol ours and allies' skies" and that "to be ready, we must fix our military procurement strategy".

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Jean Yip

LPC – Scarborough-Agincourt (ON)

Connection to DND/CAF

• Nil

Political and Parliamentary Roles

• Parliamentary Association Member: NATO Parliamentary Association (2018– 2020); Canada-China Legislative Association (2018 – Present)

Committee Membership

• Vice-Chair: Standing Committee on Public Accounts (2021 – Present)
• Member: Special Committee on the Canada–People’s Republic of China Relationship (2018 – 2019/2022 – Present); Standing Committee on Public Accounts (2018 – Present)
• Former Member: Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (2018 – 2019); Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic (2020)

Points of Interest to DND/CAF

National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS):

• During a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PACP) on the study of the NSS, Ms. Yip focused her questions on the delays experienced in delivering both combat and non-combat ships, and questioned National Defence and PSPC witnesses on if the RCN and CCG will be able to meet its domestic and international obligations, given that "current vessel life extension efforts are effectively at their maximum."

Supplying the CAF:

• During a PACP meeting on Supplying the CAF in November 2020, Ms. Yip pressed National Defence witnesses on why DND/CAF had not yet improved its supply chain performance metrics nor reviewed how stock levels of material were established, stressing that it has been four years since the Auditor General’s audit and recommendations.

Military Justice:

• During a PACP committee study on the Auditor General’s Report on Military Justice in October 2018, Ms. Yip inquired into the timeline for the judge advocate general’s formal review of the military justice system, noting at the time that the review should be conducted sooner, prior to the established date of September 2019.

RCAF Pilots and Technicians:

• During a PACP meeting on Canada’s Fighter Force in December 2018, Ms. Yip asked questions about the budget to retain pilots and technicians, upgrading their training, and increasing maintenance hours; financial barriers to programs for pilots; recruitment of pilots.

Sexual Misconduct / Op HONOUR:

• During a PACP study on the Auditor General’s Report on Inappropriate Sexual Behaviour in January 2018, Mr. Yip focused her questions on the progress of Operation HONOUR, particularly inquiring into data collection and the degree of culture change. Ms. Yip alleged that the Auditor General’s report lacked data collection.

China and Cybersecurity:

• During a CACN study on Canada-China Relations in April 2021, Ms. Yip sought information from MND on National Defence’s involvement in protecting Canadians against cybersecurity interference, such as Operation Fox Hunt, to suppress dissent among the Chinese-Canadian community. Ms. Yip asks witnesses contextual questions, often based on observations identified in publicly available NSICOP reports and media statements.

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Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné

BQ – Terrebonne (QC)

Connection to DND/CAF

• Nil

Political and Parliamentary Roles

• Critic: Public Accounts (2021 – Present); Economic Development for the Regions of Quebec (2021 – Present); Employment and Social Development (Pandemic programs) (2021 – Present)
• Counsellor: Canadian Section of Parl Americas (2021 – Present)
• Parliamentary Association Member: Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (2022 – Present); Canada-United Kingdom Inter-parliamentary Association (2022 – Present); Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (2022 – Present); Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (2022 – Present); Canada-Israel Interparliamentary Group (2022 – Present); Canada- Japan Inter-parliamentary Group (2022 – Present); Canada-China Legislative Association (2022 – Present)

Committee Membership

• Vice-Chair: Standing Committee on Public Accounts (2021 – Present)
• Member: Standing Committee on Public Accounts (2021 – Present); Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (2022 – Present)

Points of Interest to DND/CAF

Climate Change

• During a House Debate in April 2022, Ms. Sinclair raised concerns about lack of clean technology used in producing Canadian products.
• At the same debate, Ms. Sinclair raised further concerns over the increase of zoonotic diseases and increased infrastructure costs due to climate change.
• At a PACP meeting on Report of the Joint Auditors to the Board of Directors of the Public Service Pension Investment Board in February 2022, Ms. Sinclair mentioned that PSP Investments carbon footprint did not decrease, and she asked if there is "a genuine desire to reduce the carbon intensity of PSP Investments". She also stated that "setting tangible and measurable net-zero targets can have a beneficial impact."

Systemic Racism:

• At a Public Accounts Committee (PACP) in June 2022, Ms. Sinclair asked the Auditor General of Canada for more information on systemic racism experienced in federal departments.
• During a PACP meeting on Health Resources for Indigenous Communities in March 2022, Ms. Sinclair asked, "why Indigenous Services Canada gave 7% of its resources to Indigenous peoples of Quebec, even though they account for 11% of Canada's total Indigenous population."

Other Interests

French/Quebec:

• Ms. Sinclair is a strong advocate for the protection of the French language. In the House as well as in committees, she is regularly interested in the representation of the French language and of Quebecers in the various federal institutions.

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Valerie Bradford

LPC – Kitchener South—Hespeler (ON)

Connection to DND/CAF

• Nil

Political and Parliamentary Roles

• Parliamentary Association Director: Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association (2022 – Present)
• Parliamentary Association Member: Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (2022 – Present); Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (2022 – Present); Canada-United Kingdom Inter-parliamentary Association (2022 – Present); Canada-United States Inter-parliamentary Group (2022 – Present); Canada-Japan Inter-parliamentary Group (2022 – Present); Canada-Germany Interparliamentary Group (2022 – Present); Canada-France Inter-parliamentary Association (2022 – Present); Canada-Ireland Interparliamentary Group (2022 – Present); Canada-Italy Interparliamentary Group (2022 – Present)

Committee Membership

• Member: Standing Committee on Public Accounts (2021 – Present); Standing Committee on Science and Research (2021 – Present)

Points of Interest to DND/CAF

Management and Accounting:

• During a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PACP) in May 2022, Ms. Bradford asked the Auditor General of Canada to describe the weaknesses related to the management and accounting of National Defence inventory and "asset pooled items," and if National Defence was on track to resolve these issues.

Environment:

• At a meeting of PACP in March 2022, Ms. Bradford asked the Deputy Auditor General that "based on his audits of other federal initiatives, how successful has the Government of Canada been overall with regard to achieving its sustainable development goals."
• In February 2022 at a Standing Committee Public Accounts meeting, Ms. Bradford sought clarity on how "the federal government could strengthen Canadians' awareness of the climate crisis." She also expressed concerns that not everyone in the government considered climate change to be a "crisis."
• On October 11, 2022, Ms. Bradford tweeted about using nuclear energy in order to reach Canada’s climate change targets.

Emergency Preparedness

• During a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee in March 2022, Ms. Bradford questioned the OAG on emergency preparedness. She further inquired on the metrics used by the OAG to assess the departments existing national emergency preparedness and response management framework.

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Blake Desjarlais

NDP – Edmonton Griesbach (AB)

Connection to DND/CAF

• Nil

Political and Parliamentary Roles

• Caucus Vice Chair: New Democratic Party (2021 – Present)
• Critic: Women and Gender Equality (Diversity and Inclusion) (2021 – Present)
• Deputy Critic: 2SLGBTQI+ Rights (2021 – Present)

Committee Membership

• Member: Standing Committee on Public Accounts (2021 – Present)

Points of Interest to DND/CAF

Climate Change

• In June 2022, Mr. Desjarlais introduced a House petition calling on the government to enact a just transition for the reduction of emissions and to support public institutions to ensure that they create good green jobs across Canada and protect workers' rights, including the rights of Indigenous nations.
• During a PACP meeting on the transition to a low-carbon economy in June 2022, Mr. Desjarlais asked the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development if "it is fair to say that Canada's participation in the reduction of greenhouse gases is actually failing, given the fact that it has increased its production of emission."

Ukraine

• During a statement in the House on the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Mr. Desjarlais stated that “Canada must immediately expand its sanctions and target the assets of Russia's ultra wealthy and act decisively to ban their financial transactions here in Canada and across the globe." He also mentioned that “Canada must act decisively to ensure that Ukrainians find refuge in Canada in the coming days and weeks."

Indigenous

• At a Public Accounts Committee (PACP) meeting on access to safe drinking water in First Nations communities in June 2022, Mr. Desjarlais expressed frustration regarding the lack of safe drinking water in some First Nations communities, and he stated that it is one of the “systemic barriers that are facing Indigenous people."
• Mr. Desjarlais actively promotes Indigenous reconciliation on Twitter, sharing clips from Parliament and re-tweeting media related to survivors of residential schools and reconciliation.

LGBTQ2 +

• At a meeting of the PACP in May 2022, Mr. Desjarlais asked the Deputy Minister of the Department of Finance, if his team had conducted a gender-based analysis in the preparation of their various programs.

Other Interests

National Housing Strategy

• In June 2022, Mr. Desjarlais raised the national housing shortage both in the Standing Committee on Public Accounts and in Question Period, calling housing a "human right" and expressing concern on the government reaching national infrastructure targets.

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Han Dong

LPC – Don Valley North (ON)

Connection to DND/CAF

• Nil

Political and Parliamentary Roles

• Parliamentary Association Co-Chair: Canada-China Legislative Association (2020 – Present)
• Parliamentary Association Member: Canada-Japan Inter-parliamentary Group (2020 – Present); Canada-Italy Inter-parliamentary Group (2020 – Present); Canada-China Legislative Association (2020 – Present)

Committee Membership

• Member: Standing Committee on Public Accounts (2021– Present); Standing Committee on Industry and Technology (2021 – Present)
• Former Member: Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics (2020 – 2021); Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (2020 – 2021); Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic (2020 – 2021)

Points of Interest to DND/CAF

Climate Change:

• At a Public Accounts Committee meeting in February 2022, Mr. Dong expressed support for creating a national strategy on transitioning Canada to cleaner energy and sought greater collaboration between the government and opposition.

Quantum Technology:

• At an Industry and Technology Committee (INDU) meeting in March 2022, Mr. Dong mentioned that he was pleased to learn that Canada has a national quantum strategy coupled with funding of $360 million over seven years. However, he shared his concern that China, the U.S. and Russia are investing much more than Canada in this area, and asked if the government's support and strategy are adequate in the area of quantum technology research.

Foreign Interference:

• During a meeting of the Information and Ethics Committee (ETHI) in November 2020, Mr. Dong introduced a motion to study ways to further protect Canada’s democratic and electoral institutions from cyber and non-cyber interference, including how new domestic and international stakeholders, and other orders of government, can work together to strengthen Canada’s whole-of-society preparedness, resilience and civic engagement in the face of evolving threats to democracy.

Anti-Racism:

• During a House Debate on Public Safety in May 2021, Mr. Dong expressed concern over a reported increase in anti-Asian racism and asked Prime Minister Trudeau to highlight the importance of Asian Heritage Month.
• During a ETHI committee meeting in June 2022, Mr. Dong stated that "recently there were a lot of racist incidents in Canada, including anti-Black racism, anti-Indigenous racism, and anti-Asian racism."

Other Interests

National Housing Strategy:

• When he was a member of the Human Resources Committee in 2021, Mr. Dong was particularly interested in the National Housing strategy which he considers to be "very important to provide support for newcomers, low-income families, Indigenous people and veterans."

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Peter Fragiskatos

LPC – London North Centre (ON)

Connection to DND/CAF

• Advocate for General Dynamics Land Systems, located in London

Political and Parliamentary Roles

• Parliamentary Secretary: Minister of National Revenue (2017 – 2021)
• Parliamentary Association Member: Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (2018 – 2020); Canada-China Legislative Association (2016 – 2017)

Committee Membership

• Member: Special Committee on the Canada–People’s Republic of China Relationship (2020 – 2021/2022 – Present); Standing Committee on Public Accounts (2021 – Present)
• Former Member: National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (2021); House Standing Committee on Finance (2019 – 2021); House Standing Committee on Finance (2018 – 2019); House Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security (2017 – 2018); House Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (2016 – 2017)

Points of Interest to DND/CAF

Climate Change:

• Mr. Fragiskatos places a very high priority on climate change, which he considers to be an urgent security issue for Canada. During Public Accounts Committee meetings, he often asks for the solution and the measures taken by the government to help the transition to green energy or to adapt and mitigate the impact of climate change.
• During a Public Accounts Committee meeting in May 2022, Mr. Fragiskatos asked about the government's commitment to greening government. He was specifically interested in low carbon executive vehicles.

Sexual Misconduct:

• As an temporary member at the House Committee on National Defence (NDDN), he expressed support for the recommendation to create a new independent reporting mechanism for sexual misconduct cases and welcomed the emphasis on "victim-centric" approaches.
• He also expressed interest in the call for legal expertise on victims' rights and sexual violence, and suggested that this offers "another check and balance".

Multilateralism:

• During a Canada-China Relations Committee meeting in May 2021, he asked the Chair of NSICOP about how Canada's partnerships with other countries—especially middle powers—could help counter the impact of espionage, cyber-attacks and foreign interference on our democracy.

Military Spending:

• During a House debate on the Financial Statement of Minister of Finance in April 2022, Mr. Fragiskatos recognized that the international environment on security issues and on issues of war and peace has changed, and he stated that he was glad to see an increase of military spending in the budget.

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Garnett Genuis

CPC – Sherwood Park – Fort Saskatchewan (AB)

Connection to DND/CAF

• Nil

Political and Parliamentary Roles

• Critic: International Development and Human Rights (2020 – 2021)
• Former Critic: Multiculturalism (2019 – 2020)
• Former Assistant Critic: Foreign Affairs Trade and Development (Religious Freedom) (2015 – 2017), Justice (Human Rights) (2015 – 2017)

Committee Membership

• Vice Chair: Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (2022 – Present)
• Member: Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (2017 – Present), Standing Committee on Public Accounts (2022 – Present)
• Former Vice Chair: Special Committee on Canada-China Relations (2019-2021)
• Former Member: Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations (2015 – 2019), Special Joint Committee for Physician Assisted Dying (2015 – 2019), Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (2019 -2021), Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic (2020 – 2021), Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Special Committee on Canada China Relations, Special Committee on Canada-China Relations (2019-2021)

Points of Interest to DND/CAF

Ukraine:

• During Mr. Garnett's Podcast "Resuming Debate" on Sept 13, 2022, Mr. Genuis discussed the question: "is Canada falling behind in terms of its support for Ukraine?"
• During a House Debate on Oct 03, 2022, Mr. Genuis called on the Government to provide more to support Ukraine, including condemning the Russian referendums in Russian-held territory and sending more weapons to the Ukrainian military.
• At the same debate, Mr. Genuis petitioned the Government to allow Ukrainian-Canadians to bring their family members from Ukraine into Canada for as long as the conflict persists.

China and Taiwan:

• During a House Debate on Health on Oct 04, 2022, Mr. Genuis expressed concern over an increasingly belligerent China and the threat of an outright Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

Climate Change:

• On May 03, 2021, during a House Debate for the Canadian Net-Zero Carbon Emissions Act, Mr. Genuis claimed that the current government did not have an effective plan to respond to climate change and sought a more international response towards solving the climate crisis.
• During an Emergency Debate for Global Warming on Oct 15, 2018, Mr. Genuis expressed support for greening the Canadian economy, but voiced his reservations for a carbon tax, citing high fuel costs in British Columbia.

Other Interests

Human Rights:

• In the House, Mr. Genuis has spoken out against the forced sterilization, detention, forced labour and indoctrination of Uighurs in China. He has further expressed concerns over human rights abuses in Ethiopia.
• In an effort to crack down on illegal organ harvesting, Mr. Genuis has petitioned the Government to make it a criminal offence for a Canadian citizen or resident to go abroad for an organ transplant without the explicit consent of the person donating the organ.

Michael Kram

CPC – Regina - Wascana (SK)

Connection to DND/CAF

• Previously worked as a consultant for DND (contract position).

Political and Parliamentary Roles

• Parliamentary Association and Group Member: Canada-Italy Interparliamentary Group (2022 – Present), Canada - United Kingdom Inter-parliamentary Association (2022 – Present), Canadian Section of ParlAmericas (2022 – Present), Canada- United States Inter-parliamentary Group (2022 – present), Canadian-NATO Parliamentary Association (2022 – Present), Canada-Germany Interparliamentary Group (2022 – Present).

Committee Membership

• Member: Standing Committee on Public Accounts (2022 – Present), Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology (2021 – Present), Standing Committee on Industry and Technology (2021 – Present)
• Former Vice Chair: Standing Committee on Industry and Technology (2021 - 2022).
• Former Member: Standing Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Points of Interest to DND/CAF

Ukraine:

• In April 2022, at a House Debate on the Budget, Mr. Kram commended the Minister of Finance for their strong support of Ukraine and commented that Putin's "aggression against Ukraine is completely and totally unacceptable."
• During a House Debate in April 2022, Mr. Kram petitioned the Government to continue providing RADARSAT images to Ukraine and to expedite the approval of arms sales to Ukraine.

Technology and Security:

• During a Standing Committee on Industry and Technology in April 2022, Mr. Kram displayed a keen interest in quantum computers and their integration into the overall Canadian security apparatus. He inquired what the Department of National Defence should pursue in order to improve its own quantum computing capabilities.
• At the same meeting Mr. Kram expressed concerns over both Russia and North Korea's future quantum and cryptographic capabilities.
• At a meeting of the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology in January 2022, Mr. Kram indicated that less than 1% of foreign acquisitions in Canada are subject to a national security review and inquired why that number was not higher.

Environment:

• During a House Debate on Questions on the Order Paper in January 2022, Mr. Kram expressed his concern that the Government's plan to reduce the use of fertilizer would have a negative impact on the Saskatchewan economy.

Human Rights:

• During a House Debate in March 2022, Mr. Kram petitioned the Government to expedite the processing of refugee applicants from Ukraine in order to resettle them in Canada. He further expressed that his riding had a large Ukrainian community and that they would do whatever they could to assist the influx of refugees.

Other Interests

Energy:

• In the House, Mr. Kram often presses the Government on providing more oil to Europe in an effort to reduce Europe's dependence on Russian energy.

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Kelly Mccauley

CPC – Edmonton West (AB)

Connection to DND/CAF

• Nil

Political and Parliamentary Roles

• Shadow Minister: Treasury Board (2021 – Present)
• Former Assistant Critic: Public Works and Government Services (2015 – 2017)

Committee Membership

• Chair: Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (2022 – Present), Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (2022 – Present)
• Member: Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (2015 – Present); Standing Committee on Public Accounts (2022 – Present), Standing Committee on House Procedures and Affairs (2022 – 2022)
• Former Member: Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic (2020 – 2020); Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (2019 – 2020)

Points of Interest to DND/CAF

Air Defence Procurement Projects:

• At a meeting of the Government Operations Committee (OGGO) on Air Defence Procurement Projects in June 2022, Mr. McCauley pressed National Defence on whether Canada should join the US ballistic missile defence program.
• During a House debate on Main Estimates in May 2022, Mr. McCauley pressed the Minister of Public Services and Procurement for the projected life-cycle cost of purchasing, operating and maintaining the F-35 aircraft.

National Shipbuilding Strategy:

• During an OGGO committee meeting in February 2022, Mr. McCauley expressed concern over a perceived lack of results of the Government's efforts to address shipbuilding delays, as well as augmented cost of additional AOPS.
• During the Parliamentary Budget Officer's (PBO) appearance at OGGO in February 2022, he asked about the costs of design fees for the polar icebreakers.

Defence Spending and Procurement:

• During an OGGO Committee appearance in September 2022 Mr. McCauley asked about the difference between the costs provided in the response to an Order Paper Question on the Governor General's trip to the Middle East in March 2022, versus the RCAF's clarification issued after the OPQ had been released.
• In June 2022, Mr. McCauley authored an article alleging that "Canada's military is struggling with old and decrepit equipment that has become increasingly difficult to maintain if not outright obsolete." He also alleged that there are several problems with major procurement projects undertaken by the Government, such as the F-35 fighters, the Canadian Surface Combatants, and handgun procurement for the Army.
• During the House Question Period on April 8^th, 2022, Mr. McCauley criticized the Government for not meeting the NATO target of 2% of GDP in military spending, and called on the Government to increase procurement of equipment.
• At an OGGO committee meeting in early February 2022, Mr. McCauley expressed his dissatisfaction with the Government allegedly using COVID-19 as justification for a lack of transparency in the procurement process.
• During the Deputy Auditor General's (AG's) appearance at OGGO in the February 2022, Mr. McCauley expressed concern about a perceived lack of protection for taxpayers in naval procurement contracts, specifically citing National Defence as not being forthcoming about this information in their contracts.

Arctic Sovereignty:

• At an OGGO meeting on the National Shipbuilding Strategy in May 2022, Mr. McCauley asked if Canada would be better off putting all its resources into icebreakers, while the U.S. would be responsible for submarine surveillance, as part of a strategic partnership.

Russia and China:

• During his interventions in the House and during Committee, Mr. McCauley does not hesitate to point out the defence and security dangers that China and Russia pose to Canada, and he has suggested that it is the duty of National Defence to be prepared and well equipped to deal with these growing issues.

Espionage:

• At an OGGO meeting in 2021, Mr. McCauley mentioned his concern about industrial espionage, attacks on the Government and attacks on its logistics systems by China and Russia, and asked how Canada is preparing against these types of threats.

Other Interests

Uighurs:

• In the House, Mr. McCauley regularly speaks out against China's alleged repression of the Uighur minority and companies using forced labor of the Uighurs.

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Brenda Shanahan

LPC – Châteauguay—Lacolle (ON)

Connection to DND/CAF

• Consultant for Canadian Armed Forces SISIP Financial Services (2007 – 2008)

Political and Parliamentary Roles

• Parliamentary Secretary: Minister of National Revenue (2021 – 2017)
• Parliamentary Association Member: Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (2015 – Present); Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (2018 – Present); Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association (2018 – Present); Canada-China Legislative Association (2015 – Present); Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (2018 – Present); Canada-France Inter-parliamentary Association (2016 – Present); Canada-Japan Inter-parliamentary Group(2018 – Present); Canada-United Kingdom Inter-parliamentary Association (2018 – Present); Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (2018 – Present)

Committee Membership

• Member: Standing Committee on Public Accounts (2016 – 2018/2021 – Present)
• Former Vice-Chair: Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics (2020 – 2021)
• Former Member: National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (2017 – 2021); Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics (2020 – 2021); Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic (2020); Special Joint Committee on Physician-Assisted Dying (2016); Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (2016 – 2018)

Points of Interest to DND/CAF

Climate Change:

• At a House Debate on Climate Change in May 2022, Ms. Shanahan cited concerns over infrastructure not being able to handle the new and additional stress caused by climate change.
• In February 2022, at a Public Accounts Committee meeting Ms. Shanahan asked about the development of net-zero plans for federally regulated institutions and how they would disclose their finances.

Sexual Misconduct:

• During a House debate on an Opposition Motion related to Allegations of Sexual Misconduct in the Military in May 2021, Ms. Shanahan stated that "there is a pressing need for accountability and review at every level of the CAF and DND, which can be done by reviewing the policies and practices of the defence team and evaluating their efficacy at eradicating sexual misconduct and harassment".
• During the same debate, she also declared that "without rapid, decisive action, without strict enforcement and without accountability, sexual misconduct and harassment within the defence team will never be truly eliminated."

Military Housing:

• At an OGGO meeting in June 2016, Ms. Shanahan recognized the issues of military housing and asked the defence witnesses what measures are in place to address the situation.
• At a PACP meeting in March 2016, she mentioned that the CAF has a responsibility to ensure that housing is available and to provide financial support, if needed, to obtain housing for CAF members when they are relocated.

Recruitment & Retention

• At a PACP meeting in June 2016, Ms. Shanahan cited paragraph 5.51 of the AG's 2016 report which stated that "National Defence recruiting system did not recruit the number of soldiers needed by the Army Reserve and that the Army Reserve units had difficulty retaining their soldiers", and she asked the defence witnesses if they had any strategies in place to improve the situation.

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