My assignment as the re-elected chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security continues to be interesting in my life as an M.P. in Ottawa.

M.P.s live a “dual life” as a sounding board for constituents at home, as well as being a political party representative at committees and functions when they’re in Ottawa. The committee I chair is an important forum for debate on a variety of issues that contribute to the safety and security of Canadians.

Our committee has a mandate to review departmental activities, the government’s administrative policies, parliamentary matters, and the spending plans of the government in relation to public safety and national security. From time to time, the House of Commons asks us to study particular matters, such as Order-in-Council appointments, reports, and government and private members bills.

Although it is the practice that bills referred to us by the House of Commons take priority, the committee is the master of its own agenda. The members choose which items to examine, we then form an agenda and select witnesses we wish to hear.

In December 2003, the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, which our committee oversees, was created to ensure a better integration of public safety and national security activities among Canadian agencies. The department is responsible for policing, border security, corrections and conditional releases of federal offenders, as well as public safety and national security. The department is composed of five major agencies, including the RCMP, Canadian Border Service Agency, Canadian Security Intelligence Service, National Parole Board, and Correctional Services Canada.

In March 2007, we tabled in the House of Commons a comprehensive report on the Anti-terrorism Act. This report resulted from discussions with close to 90 witnesses heard during more than 40 meetings held over a period of approximately two years.

In June 2007, we also completed a study on counterfeit goods in Canada with the tabling in the House of a report containing 14 recommendations. During 2007 and 2008, the committee also devoted meetings to a review of the RCMP witness protection program. We also agreed to study the issues surrounding the death of a Polish immigrant who died at Vancouver International Airport in October 2007 after receiving electrical shocks from a Taser.

Since the Committee reconvened in February 2009, we have held meetings to review the DNA Identification Act and border security. We are also reviewing the findings and recommendations arising from the inquiries into allegations about international torture, cybercrime, and the Sex Offender Information Registration Act before the House rises for the summer.

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The audio version of Garry's March 30, 2009 op-ed column can be heard by clicking here