December 2005
Have a safe and happy holiday season.
December 12, 2005
Senator Kenny was the moderator for an International Security Conference called NATO-Russia Relations in the 21st Century, Given by the Council on Transatlantic Relations.
November 29, 2005
Dissolution of Parliament - A Proclamation dated Tuesday, November 29, 2005 was received from Her Excellency the Governor General indicating that, by and with the advice of the Prime Minister, Her Excellency has thought fit to dissolve the present Parliament of Canada.
November 24, 2005
Senator Kenny spoke with students from the Canadian Forces Staff College to give them an update on the National Security and Defence Committees activities and future plans.
November 9, 2005
Hana Gartner from CBC's Fifth Estate interviewed Senator Kenny for the shows season premier "Fasten Your Seatbelts"
October 24-27, 2005
The Senate Standing Committee on National Security and Defence travelled to Toronto, Ontario for a fact-finding mission, as the committee continues to study the efficacy of local, regional and national emergency preparedness initiatives.
Detailed Itinerary
October 21, 2005
Senator Kenny addressed a group of 4th year Political Science student at Bishop's University in Lennoxville, Quebec on the formation of security and defence policy in Canada.
September 29, 2005
Senator Kenny, along with Senators Day and Banks, members of the Senate Committee on National Security and Defence, held a press conference at the National Press Gallery in Ottawa to release the Committee’s new report titled, WOUNDED: Canada’s Military and the Legacy of Neglect.
September 5-10, 2005
Senator Kenny traveled with the Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee to Paris, France, Vienna, and Austria as part of a fact finding mission.
August 7-11, 2005
Senator Kenny attended the 24th DARPA Systems and Technology Symposium in Anaheim, California. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
July 27, 2005
Senator Kenny was a guest speaker at a Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters event in Ottawa, Ontario. He spoke about the National Security and Defence Committee’s report on border security, “BORDERLINE INSECURE”.
July 12 - 15, 2005
Senator Kenny attended the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) Conference on, Transformation of Military Operations on the Cusps in London, England.
June 7 - 10, 2005
Senator Kenny was a delegate to the, 2005 Pacific Symposium in Honolulu, Hawaii.
May 7 - 18, 2005 – Europe
The National Security and Defence Committee traveled to Europe. Committee members met with officials from Whitehall in London, UK, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) and NATO Headquarters in Brussels, among others, prior to visiting Canadian troops in the field at Camp Julien in Kabul, Afghanistan, May 16 through 18.
May 16 - 18, 2005 – Afghanistan
While in Dubai Senator Kenny met with General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces
Trip Photo's
Detailed Itinerary
May 5 & 6, 2005 – Halifax, NS
The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence will held hearings in Halifax Thursday, May 5 and Friday, May 6 as part of its review of Canada’s defence capabilities.
Thursday’s program will began at with a photo opportunity and briefing at the new Maritime Security Operations Centre followed by hearings. On Friday, the committee had two photo opportunities, including briefings, in HMC Dockyard, one on a submarine and the other on a destroyer. Following the fact finding the Committee held hearings.
The Committee also hosted a public town hall meeting the evening of May 5, where citizens shared their views on the future on Canada’s military.
In addition to the hearings, the Committee, which released a report in March 2004 on Canada’s emergency preparedness capabilities, also meet with first responders from Halifax who participated in the preparation of the report.
Detailed Itinerary
April 16 - 21, 2005 – Washington, D.C.
The National Security and Defence Committee traveled to Washington, DC, for annual bilateral meetings on defence and security issues. These bilateral meetings were first held in 2002.
Discussions with Canadian and US officials involved matters of joint concern such as defence, border, airport and port security. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s shift toward discontinuing Canadian citizens’ current exemptions for entering the United States was also part of the discussion.
The committee shared their experiences and knowledge gained from their past examinations of the security of Canada’s airports, ports, borders and coastlines as well as emergency preparedness, military cooperation and the sharing of data gathered from the intelligence community.
The committee met with the following people:
Complete itinerary
Lieutenant-General J.O. Michel Maisonneuve, CMM, MSC, CD, Chief of Staff, Supreme Allied Command Transformation
Admiral Edmund P. Giambiastini, Jr., U.S. Navy, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (NATO), Commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command
Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope KCB, U.K. Royal Navy, Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (NATO)
Captain (USN) Henning, NATO Reaction Force
Commander Walpole, NATO Strike Fleet Atlantic
Rear Admiral Mauer, Concept, Design and Experimentation
Colonel Spasojevich, NATO Training Mission in Iraq
Ambassador Frank McKenna, Canadian Ambassador to the United States
Jon Allen, Minister (Political Affairs), Canadian Embassy
Thomas Donnelly, American Enterprises Institute
Major-General Donald Gardner (retired), President of the U.S. Marine Corps University
Congressman Dan Lungren, Chair of the Subcommittee on Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection and Cybersecurity
The Honorable Randy Beardsworth, Acting Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security
The Honorable Robert Bonner, Commissioner, Bureau of Customs and Border Protection Department of Homeland Security
Christopher Sands, Senior Associate, Americas Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies
The Honorable Roscoe Bartlett, Chair of the Projection Forces Subcommittee (House Armed Services Committee)
Congressman Joel Hefley, Chair of the Readiness Subcommittee (House Armed Services Committee)
The Honorable Susan Collins, Chair, Senate Committee on Homeland Security
Senator Inouye, Co-chair Port Security Caucus
Congressman Brown, Co-chair Port Security Caucus
Congressman Ruppersberger, Co-chair Port Security Caucus
The Honorable F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr., Chair, House Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. House of Representatives
Congressman Mica, Subcommittee on Aviation
Congressman LoBiondo, Chair of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation (House Transportation and Infrastructure)
Congressman Mike Rogers, Chairman of Subcommittee on Management, Integration and Oversight (House Select Committee on Homeland Security)
Congressman Rob Simmons, Chair of the Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment (House Select Committee on Homeland Security)
Congressman Cox, Chair of the House Select Committee on Homeland Security
Senator Stevens, Chair of Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation
Admiral Thomas Collins, Commandant, United States Coast Guard
April 14 & 15, 2005 – New York, New York
Briefing by Ambassador Gilbert Laurin, Canadian Mission, United Nations and Glyn Berry, Minister-Counsellor, Canadian Mission, Chairman of the Working Group of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations
Met with Madame Louise Fréchette, Deputy Secretary-General, United Nations
Met with Mr. David Harland, Head, Best Practices Unit, Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO)
Met with Jean-Marie Guéhenno, Under Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations, United
Nations
April 6, 2005
Senator Kenny spoke at a conference sponsored by Defence Management Studies, Queen's University; the Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP); and the Conference of Defence Associations Institute (CDAI) titled The New Defence Agenda: Transforming National Defence Administration.
March 10, 2005 – Winnipeg, Manitoba
The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence traveled to the city of Winnipeg as part of its thorough review of Canada’s defence capabilities. The committee held hearings and hosted an evening public town hall meeting where citizens came to share their views on the future of Canada’s military with the committee.
Met with Lieutenant Colonel Sharpe, Commander 2 PPCLI
Met with Susan Thompson, Former Mayor of Winnipeg
Met with Major-General J.J.C. Bouchard, Commander, 1 Canadian Air Division
Met with Colonel Steff J. Kummel, Commander 17 Wing
Met with James Fergusson, Ph.D., Centre for Defence and Security Studies, University of Manitoba
Met with Lieutenant General Ray Crabbe (ret’d), Royal Military Institute of Manitoba
March 9, 2005 – Regina, Saskatchewan
The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence held hearings in Regina as part of its thorough review of Canada’s defence capabilities. The committee also hosted an evening public town hall meeting where citizens were invited to share their views on the future of Canada’s military with the committee.
Met with Colonel Alain Boyer, Commander 15 Wing Moose Jaw
Met with Mr. Mick Leboldus, Chief Bombardier representative at the NATO Flight Training Centre
Met with Lieutenant Colonel J.E. Wainwright, Commander 16/17 Field Ambulance
Met with Lieutenant Colonel Miller, Commander of 10th Field Artillery Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery
Met with Lieutenant Colonel Paul Rutherford, Commander of 73 Communication Group
Met with Lieutenant Commander John Bell, Commander of HMCS Queen
March 8, 2005 – Calgary, Alberta
The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence held hearings in Calgary as part of its thorough review of Canada’s defence capabilities. The hearings began with viewpoints on Canada’s defence and security Achilles heel – the North and what the Canadian Forces needs and challenges are in protecting Canada’s national security interests. The afternoon’s hearings started with a leading expert’s take on the status of the Canada-US defence relationship post-BMD decision. In the evening, the committee turned the forum over to the public for town hall meeting where the citizens were invited to share their views on the future of Canada’s military with the committee.
Met with Dr. David Bercuson, Director of the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies, University of Calgary and recipient of the Conference of Defence Associations Institute’s 2004 Vimy award for his contribution to security and defence issues in Canada
Met with Dr. Rob Huebert, Associate Director, Centre for Military and Strategic Studies, University of Calgary and editor of the Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Met with Stephen J. Randall, FRSC, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Calgary
Met with Dr. John Ferris, Faculty of Social Sciences (History), International Relations Program, University of Calgary
Met with Lieutenant Commander Derek Carroll, HMCS Tecumseh
Met with Colonel J.D. Gludo, Commander of 41 CBG HQ
Met with Lieutenant Colonel F.L. Villiger, Calgary Highlanders
Met with Lieutenant Colonel B.R. Gilkes, Kings Own Calgary Regiment
Met with Major John Lalonde, Air Reserve Coordinator (Western Area)
March 7, 2005 – Edmonton, Alberta
The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence held hearings in Edmonton as part of its thorough review of Canada’s defence capabilities. The committee heard from the Commander of the Land Forces Western Area and the Commander of CFB Cold Lake. The agenda also included a fact-finding visit to CFB Edmonton Garrison. There, the committee learned of the significant challenges posed by dated infrastructure, equipment and personnel shortages. The committee also saw first-hand how advances in high tech are enhancing training. Soldiers gave accounts of usage of Coyote Reconnaissance Vehicles and the limitations of the Forces’ Griffon helicopters.
Met with Brigadier-General Stuart A. Beare, Commander Land Forces Western Area
Met with Colonel T.J. Grant, One Brigade Group Commander
Met with Colonel Wynnyk, Area Support Unit Commander
Met with Colonel Markewicz, Commander C.F.B. Edmonton
Met with Professor Tom Keating, Department of Political Science,
University of Alberta
Met with Colonel Sullivan, Wing Commander CFB Cold Lake
Met with Colonel Werny, Commander of the Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment at CFB Cold Lake
February 27 – March 3, 2005 – British Columbia
The Senate Committee on National Security and Defence traveled to Victoria and Vancouver, British Columbia, as part of their comprehensive review of Canada’s defence policy. The Committee’s focus was on Maritime security operations and increased demands on the busy port and land border crossings. The Committee held a series of hearings, fact-findings and public consultations.
Briefed by Captain D.J.S. Kyle, Commander CFB Esquimalt
Met with Rear-Admiral J.Y. Forcier and Commodore Roger Giouard
Met with Walter Gray, Mayor of Kelowna
Met with Rear-Admiral Ken Summers (ret’d) and Vice-Admiral Gary Garnett (ret’d)
January 31 – February 3, 2005 – Atlantic Canada
The National Security and Defence Committee traveled to Saint John, NB; St. John’s NFLD; and Charlottetown, PEI, as part of its thorough review of the Canada’s defence capabilities. The committee held hearings as well as public town hall meetings in an effort to get the citizens of Canada involved and share their views on the future of Canada’s military with the committee.
Met with Dr. Mark Milner Met with Lieutenant Colonel Steve Bowes, Lieutenant Colonel Brian Douglas, Lieutenant Colonel Rene Melcanon, Lieutenant Colonel Pat McAdam and Lieutenant Colonel Ranjeet K. Gupta
Met with Brigadier-General R.R. Romses, Colonel Ryan Jestin and Colonel Davis
Met with Senator Archie Johnstone (ret’d) Met with Lieutenant Commander Phil Mundy, Lieutenant Colonel D.B. McKinnon and major A.G. Hynes
Met with Lieutenant Colonel Jim Macaleese and Major Brian Wicks
Met with Captain Scott Tromp, Captain Dan Cunninham, Warrant Officer Kevin Morawski, Master Corporal Absalom Pierce and Master Corporal William Kelland
Met with Lieutenant Commander Max Harvey, Lieutenant Colonel J.F. Camsell and Lieutenant Colonel S.P. Leonard
Met with Richard Deering, Chief of Police and Chief Superintendent Bill Smith
January 20, 2005 – United Kingdom
Senator Kenny was traveling overseas as part of an Official Delegation to Dubai, Bahrain and London.
Briefed by High Commissioner Mel Cappe
Met with Sir Michael Willcocks, KCB, Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod
Met with Lord Brabazon, Lord Carter, Lady Anelay and Lord Cope to discuss Lords Reform Met with Lord Falconer
Met with Lord Levy, PM’s special envoy to the Middle East
January 17-18, 2005 – Bahrain
Met with Hosni Mubarak, President of Shura CouncilMet with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Mubarak al-Khalifa
January 15-16, 2005 – United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Met with Deputy Commanding Officer Major Lynda Gibson
Met with His Excellency W. David Hutton, Ambassador of Canada to the UAE
Met with His Excellency Qassim Sultan Al Banna, Director General of the Government of Dubai Municipality
Met with Mohammed Al Kindi, Speaker of the UAE Federation Council
Met with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence