Advisory Committees
The Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness has established advisory committees to provide evidence-informed advice on a number of issues, in accordance with his authority under the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Act (subsection 6(2)). They serve as mechanisms to ensure that security policies and programs are informed by diverse views and expertise from around the country. Each Committee operates with its own governance structure, mandate, membership and meeting schedule. A summary of existing Ministerial Advisory Committees is provided below:
The National Expert Committee on Countering Radicalization to Violence
The National Expert Committee was established in February 2019 to provide a non-governmental voice and subject matter expertise to advise the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and to inform and support the work of the Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence in implementing the National Strategy on Countering Radicalization to Violence. The Expert Committee is made up of 10 members appointed by the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness who have diverse experience in matters ranging from youth engagement, community development, public health, policing, gender-based violence and hate crimes. The Expert Committee meets in-person at least twice annually and has videoconference meetings as required.
One of the Co-Chairs of the Expert Committee has resigned, leaving a vacancy. The Terms of Reference require a chair and/or co-chairs to be appointed from among the Expert Committee members. The Minister can appoint additional members from a pool of recommended candidates, or remove members at the Minister’s discretion.
The Cross-Cultural Roundtable on Security (CCRS)
The CCRS, established in February 2005, brings together citizens who are leaders in their respective communities and have extensive experience in social and cultural matters, to engage with the Government on national security and public safety related topics. The group meets approximately three times a year in different regions across Canada, and provides a forum for the Minister of Public Safety, the Minister of Justice and government officials to obtain strategic advice on initiatives, policies, and programs relating to public safety and security. A Year-in-Review document outlines the CCRS members’ participation in consultations throughout the year; summary reports are published on the CCRS’s webpage following each meeting. In the last two years, members have provided guidance on important topics such as, for example: the language to describe extremism, human trafficking in Canada and proposed changes to the Passenger Protect Program.
Membership renewal options are being explored for recommendation to the Ministers. The Roundtable is currently comprised of 14 out of 15 possible members. Per the CCRS terms of reference, members are appointed for a two-year period with a possibility of an additional one year extension at the discretion of the Minister of Public Safety and the Minister of Justice. The most recent CCRS member was appointed in July 2019, while the other members were appointed in March 2017. These 13 members’ terms expired in March 2019 and were extended until September 30, 2019. A recommended CCRS membership renewal approach will be presented to the Minister, with the intent of having new members appointed by early 2020.
The Canadian Firearms Advisory Committee
The Committee provides advice to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness on reforms to Canada’s firearms policies, laws and regulations, to ensure a modernized firearms regime that will keep Canadians safe and be fair to law-abiding firearms owners. Its membership includes individuals with diverse views, for example: civilian firearms users; public health advocates; conservationists; Coroners; members of the legal community; representatives of Indigenous communities and, the agricultural/farming sector. Members are appointed by the Minister for a maximum of two years. The frequency of the meetings is determined by the Minister but at least one in-person meeting is held every year. The Department provides secretarial support for the Committee.
The Committee consists of up to 15 members of which there are currently ten. A new Chair, the Honourable Wallace Oppal, was appointed on February 18, 2019, for a term of two years. The tenure of most members will be completed in October 2019. Members serve at the pleasure of the Minister who may, at any time, extend the service of members; appoint new members; remove members; or, disband the Committee. The period following the election is an opportune time to consider the Minister’s preferences for membership, and the issues CFAC will be asked to examine early in the new Parliament.
Committee to Combat Human Trafficking
The Committee was established in September 2019 to offer advice to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness on the implementation of the National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking. The Committee provides recommendations to help ensure that Canada’s efforts to combat human trafficking remain responsive to emerging issues and trends, and is responsible for raising awareness of Canada’s actions and overall approach both domestically and internationally. The Committee is expected to consist of one or more individuals who have an understanding of issues related to human trafficking, have experience engaging at-risk and vulnerable populations, and are able to effectively engage with a broad range of stakeholders. Members are appointed by the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, with the Special Advisor to Combat Human Trafficking having been appointed on September 4, 2019.
Survivor-led Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking
As part of the new National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking, PS is intending to establish a survivor-led Advisory Committee on Human. The Committee will provide a platform for human trafficking victims and survivors from diverse backgrounds and experiences (e.g., Indigenous women and girls, LGBTQ2 persons, persons with disabilities, at-risk youth) to provide advice and recommendations to help inform the Government of Canada’s anti-trafficking efforts. The Minister will be responsible for establishing the committee and appointing members of the committee. Recommendations for appointees will be presented to the Minister by end of fiscal 2019-20.
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