House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security (SECU)

Liberal Party of Canada

Chair

Name:

John McKay

Riding:

Scarborough — Guildwood, ON

Parliamentary Experience:

MP since 1997

Activities/Experience of Interest to the Portfolio:

• Chair of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security 2017 - 2019
• Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence - 2015 - 2017
• Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance, 2003 - 2006

The Honourable John McKay was first elected as Member of Parliament in 1997. He was re-elected in October 2019 to serve his eighth term in the House of Commons. 

Private Members Bills over Parliamentary Career:

Successfully sponsored Bill C-293, An Act Respecting the Provision of Development Assistance Abroad and received Royal Assent on May 29, 2008.
Successfully sponsored Bill C-260, Amendment to Hazardous Products Act (fire-safe cigarettes) and received Royal Assent on March 31, 2004. 

Recent interventions in the House of Commons of interest to the Portfolio:

• Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement Implementation Act
• Members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group to End Modern Slavery that was instrumental in introducing Bill S-211 – An Act to enact the Modern Slavery Act and to amend the Customs Tarriff

Recent interventions in the House of Commons of interest to the Portfolio:

• NIL

Liberal Party of Canada

Name:

Pam Damoff

Riding:

Oakville North-Burlington, ON

Parliamentary Experience:

MP since 2015

Activities/Experience of Interest to the Portfolio:

• Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security 2016 to present
• Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services

Ms. Damoff, a politician, community activist and business professional with over 25 years’ corporate experience on Bay Street, was elected to represent the riding of Oakville-North Burlington in the House of Commons in the 2015 federal election. Prior to the election, Ms. Damoff served as an Oakville Town Councilor from 2010-2015. During her time on council, she served on the Oakville Public Library Board, the budget committee and the Oakville Tourism Partnership.

Pam was named Vice Chair of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women in December 2015. She has been a member of Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security since 2016.

Recent Interventions in the House of Commons of interest to the portfolio:

• Opposition Motion – instructing the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security to conduct hearing into the decision of the Parole Board of Canada to release an inmate on day parole which led to the death of a young woman and to review changes made to the board’s nomination process.  Given Ms. Damoff’s interest in women’s issues, she will likely be very much engaged in this SECU study.

Recent interventions in the House of Commons of interest to the Portfolio:

• NIL

Liberal Party of Canada

Name:

Angelo Iacono

Riding:

Alfred-Pellan, QC

Parliamentary Experience:

MP since 2015

Activities/Experience of Interest to the Portfolio:

Member of the Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament

After studying political science at McGill University, Mr. Iacono went on to study civil law at UQAM and obtained a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Ottawa, a certificate from the European Union and its institutions, as well as a certificate in European community law from the faculty of law of Lyon, in France.

Since he became an MP, federal funding in the community has increased exponentially, as has the number of beneficiaries. Through the Canada Summer Jobs program, the New Horizons for Seniors program and the CanExport program, Mr. Iacono has been working to ensure that residents and businesses in Alfred-Pellan can take full advantage of the many opportunities provided by the Government of Canada.

Recent interventions in the House of Commons of interest to the Portfolio:

NIL

Liberal Party of Canada

Name:

Kamal Khera

Riding:

Brampton West, ON

Parliamentary Experience:

MP since 2015

Activities/Experience of Interest to the Portfolio:

• Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development
• Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health 2015 - 2017

Ms. Khera has held a diverse set of positions in Government; previously holding the titles of: Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue. She is a registered nurse, community volunteer and a political activist.

A first-generation Canadian, Ms. Khera immigrated to Canada from Delhi, India at a very young age. She attended York University where she earned an Honours Bachelors of Science in Psychology and an Honours Bachelors of Science in Nursing.

Drawn to assisting others, Ms. Khera gained diverse experience within the field of Health through her professional experience with Centre of Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH), Peel Family Shelter, and William Osler Health Centre. Ms. Khera worked as a registered nurse in the Oncology Unit at St Joseph’s Health Centre in Toronto.

Recent interventions in the House of Commons of interest to the Portfolio:

NIL

Liberal Party of Canada

Name:

Joël Lightbound

Riding:

Louis-Hébert, QC

Parliamentary Experience:

MP since 2015

Activities/Experience of Interest to the Portfolio:

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Joël Lightbound is a lawyer and a member of the Quebec Bar Association, who began his legal career as an articling student with the Montréal firm Fasken Martineau DuMoulin. He later practiced law in the Quebec City area with a firm specializing in immigration law.

Mr. Lightbound served as a board member of Champlain Regional College and La Baratte, a non-profit organization in Quebec City. He is the former President of the Student Association of St. Lawrence College, Vice-President of the Confédération des associations des étudiantes et étudiants en droit civil, and Quebec representative at the Parlement francophone des jeunes in Gabon in 2007.

Mr. Lightbound holds Bachelor’s degrees in Civil Law and Common Law from McGill University. He has also pursued Masters-level studies in Information Technology Law at the Université de Montréal.

Recent interventions in the House of Commons of interest to the Portfolio:

NIL

Liberal Party of Canada

Name:

Gagan Sikand

Riding:

Mississauga—Streetsville, ON

Parliamentary Experience:

MP since 2015

Activities/Experience of Interest to the Portfolio:

Member of the Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament

Gagan Sikand, a lawyer and small business owner, has lived in Mississauga—Streetsville for over 25 years. Throughout that time, he has been dedicated to community service and a number of valuable professional experiences. Mr. Sikand has diverse professional experience, having worked for the Attorney General of Ontario, the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, and the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada. Mr. Sikand also sits on the Board of the Dental Hygienists of Ontario and volunteers on the local United Way advisory council and regularly volunteers at both the Eden and Seva food banks.

Recent interventions in the House of Commons of interest to the Portfolio:

NIL

Conservative Party of Canada

Name:

Glen Motz

Riding:

Medicine Hat—Cardston—Warner, AB

Parliamentary Experience:

First-time MP

Activities/Experience of Interest to the Portfolio:

• Former Police Officer, Medicine Hat

Glen Motz is a former police officer with the Medicine Hat Police Service. He has received numerous awards. Most notably, in 2012 he received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for dedicated service to his peers, community and to Canada. In May 2013, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada presented him with The Order of Merit of Police Forces which was created to recognize conspicuous merit and exceptional service by members and employees of Canadian police forces whose contributions extend beyond protection of the community.

Glen Motz has volunteered on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society, as well as the Medicine Hat and District Food Bank.

Recent interventions in the House of Commons of interest to the Portfolio:

• NIL

Conservative Party of Canada

Name:

Damien C. Kurek

Riding:

Battle River- Crowfoot, AB

Parliamentary Experience:

• First elected on October 21, 2019

Activities/Experience of Interest to the Portfolio:

Mr. Kurek holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Studies and Communications and a Diploma in Biblical Studies. He has held leadership and governance roles in a number of not-for-profits in Western Canada.

He worked for the Hon. Kevin Sorenson, M.P. while Mr. Sorenson was Minister of State (Finance) in Ottawa as well as more recently in his Constituency Office. Mr. Kurek also worked at the Saskatchewan Legislature in a number of policy, communications, and research roles while Brad Wall was Premier.

Recent interventions in the House of Commons of interest to the Portfolio:

• NIL

Conservative Party of Canada

Vice Chair

Name:

Shannon Stubbs

Riding:

Lakeland, Alberta

Parliamentary Experience:

• First elected on October 19, 2015

Activities/Experience of Interest to the Portfolio:

Critic for Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Ms. Stubbs was nominated as the Conservative Party of Canada candidate for the new federal Electoral District of Lakeland on December 18, 2014. She has a diverse professional background spanning the private, not for profit, political and public sectors, at both federal and provincial jurisdictions.

Ms. Stubbs has significant experience in federal and provincial politics, having worked in senior roles for MPs and MLAs. While completing a Combined Honours B.A. in Political Science and English at the University of Alberta, she interned in then federal Opposition Leader Preston Manning’s Ottawa Office in research and communications. She focused on intergovernmental, equalization, democratic reform and First Nations issues. She participated in the organizing committee for Alberta’s 1998 Senate elections and co-MCed the Senate nominee election day in Red Deer and then worked in the constituency office of former Beaver River and Edmonton North MP, Deborah Grey. She assisted constituents to navigate a wide array of federal government programs and to resolve issues and concerns with the Canada Revenue Agency, Citizenship and Immigration, Employment Insurance, CPP and student loans, Aboriginal Affairs, and other areas.

Recent interventions in the House of Commons of interest to the Portfolio:

Question Period: Mass shooting in Nova Scotia

Conservative Party of Canada

Name:

Tako Van Popta

Riding:

Langley-Aldergrove, BC

Parliamentary Experience:

• First elected on October 21, 2019

Activities/Experience of Interest to the Portfolio:

Mr. Van Popta received his undergraduate degree from Trinity Western University and attended UBC to obtain his law degree. He articled with McQuarrie Hunter LLP and has worked with the firm for over 30 years becoming Managing Partner and overseeing the growth that would lead to McQuarrie Hunter becoming the largest law firm south of the Fraser. He has a keen interest in business development and urban planning having held the position of director at the Surrey Board of Trade and the Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association.

Mr. Van Popta served two terms on the Langley Memorial Hospital Board from 1990-1998. He also has spent over 10 years volunteering at Elim Housing Society, a seniors’ aging-in-place campus with locations in Surrey and Chilliwack. As Chairman of the Board he helped set the long-term vision that would turn Elim Village into a seniors care facility that helps more seniors live in independent and supportive living communities.

Recent interventions in the House of Commons of interest to the Portfolio:

NIL

New Democratic Party of Canada

Name:

Jack Harris

Riding:

St. John’s East, NL

Parliamentary Experience:

MP Since 2008

Activities/Experience of Interest to the Portfolio:

• Vice-Chair – Canada-China Relations Committee
• Member – Foreign Affairs and International Development Committee
• Critic for Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Jack Harris is a graduate of Memorial University, the University of Alberta and the London School of Economics. He has experience in community organizing, journalism and law, and is a former senior labour lawyer. In the 1990s he successfully represented former residents of the Mt. Cashel Orphanage, survivors of sexual abuse seeking redress and compensation from the Christian Brothers and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. 

He has previously served as the NDP’s Public Safety critic, Justice critic, and National Defence critic.

In the House of Commons, Mr. Harris led the motion to institute a round-the-clock 30-minute response time for air search and rescue. He also worked outside of Parliament to advance the issue. This included requesting and being granted standing at the Offshore Helicopter Safety Inquiry, following the tragic 2009 Cougar helicopter crash.

Recent interventions in the House of Commons of interest to the Portfolio:

• NIL

Bloc Québécois

Vice-Chair

Name:

Kristina Michaud

Riding:

Avignon-La Mitis-Matane-Matapédia, QC

Parliamentary Experience:

First elected on October 21, 2019

Kristina Michaud is a former political advisor in the office of the interim leader of the Parti Québécois, Pascal Bérubé. Its mandate is to guide the Pequist caucus, particularly on issues of immigration, secularism, health, social services, French, international relations and the status of women. The 26-year-old is completing a master's degree in international relations at Laval University.

Recent interventions in the House of Commons of interest to the Portfolio:

NIL

Date modified:

2021-03-12