MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OTTAWA, Wednesday, December 11, 2024 (111) [English] The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications met this day at 6:46 p.m., in room B45, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Leo Housakos, presiding. Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Cardozo, Clement, Cuzner, Dasko, Gignac, Housakos, Miville-Dechêne, Quinn and Simons (9). Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Youance (1). Participating in the meeting: Jed Chong and Khamla Heminthavong, analysts, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, February 10, 2022, the committee continued its study on matters relating to transport and communications generally. (Topic: Copper wire theft in the telecommunications industry) WITNESSES: Canadian Telecommunications Association: Eric Smith, Senior Vice-President. Bell Canada: Michele Austin, Vice-President, Public Affairs. TELUS: Brian Lakey, Vice-President, Reliability Centre of Excellence. Electricity Canada: Francis Bradley, President and Chief Executive Officer. Canadian Association of Recycling Industries: Brian K.

Shine, CARI Board Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Manitoba Corporation (by videoconference). Crime Stoppers: Linda Annis, Executive Director, Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers and City Councillor, City of Surrey (by videoconference). Bridgehead Security Consulting Inc.: Ross Johnson, President. Eric Smith, Michele Austin, Brian Lakey and Francis Bradley each made a statement and answered questions. At 6:58 p.m., the deputy chair, the Honourable Senator Miville-Dechêne, took the chair. At 7:29 p.m., the Honourable Senator Housakos resumed the chair. At 7:47 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 7:51 p.m., the committee resumed. Brian K. Shine, Linda Annis and Ross Johnson each made a statement and answered questions. At 8:45 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair. ATTEST: Angus Wilson Clerk of the Committee