Statement by Ministers Goodale and Chagger - Bill C-22 is granted Royal Assent

OTTAWA, June 22, 2017 /CNW/ - The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism, released the following statement today:

"We are deeply gratified that Bill C-22: An Act to establish the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians and to make consequential amendments to certain Acts received Royal Assent today.

This achievement addresses a longstanding need for parliamentarians to review the Government of Canada's activities and operations in regards to national security and intelligence. The Committee will be a strong addition to the system of national security review and accountability.

The new Committee will have the authority to scrutinize the full range of national security and intelligence activities across the Government of Canada, including those undertaken by agencies such as the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the Communications Security Establishment, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the Canada Border Services Agency, amongst many others.

All members of the Committee will have unprecedented access to classified information, subject to specific exemptions defined in law, and they will be in a strong position to ensure that the activities of our national security agencies keep Canadians safe while protecting our rights and values.

We are grateful for the contributions of Members of Parliament, senators and Canadians towards the development of the Committee. We look forward to launching its work as soon as possible."

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For more information, please visit the website www.publicsafety.gc.ca.

SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada

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