Bill C-22, also known as the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians Act, establishes a committee of parliamentarians to review national security matters. The committee is made up of members from both the House of Commons and the Senate, but it is not a committee of either house. The members are appointed by the Governor in Council, based on recommendations from the Prime Minister, and they can be removed. The purpose of the committee is to review the laws, rules, policies, and spending related to national security and intelligence.
The committee can review activities carried out by government departments related to national security, unless the responsible minister believes it would harm national security. The committee has the right to access information under the control of a department, with some exceptions. The appropriate Minister can refuse to release information to the committee if they feel it would be harmful to national security. The committee must submit an annual report to the Prime Minister, who then presents it to Parliament.
The bill also establishes a Secretariat to support the committee. The Secretariat is headed by an executive director, who is appointed by the Governor in Council. The Secretariat's role is to help the committee carry out its duties. This bill also makes changes to other laws, such as the Access to Information Act and the Security of Information Act, to reflect the creation of the committee and its Secretariat.
Finally, the bill includes a provision to review the Act after five years to determine if any changes are needed.
Spending
The bill allows for the payment of expenses to committee members for travel and living costs. It also provides for the creation of a secretariat, with an executive director and employees, all of which will require government spending. The Chair of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians receives an additional annual allowance of $42,200, and each member other than the chair receives $11,900.
Defense
This bill focuses on national security and intelligence. It sets up a committee of parliament members to review national security matters. This includes looking at the rules and policies related to national security. The committee can also review activities by government departments related to national security.