Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MP Alex Ruff’s “need to know” private members bill has cleared another hurdle in the House of Commons.
On June 5, Ruff’s bill - C-377, An Act to Amend the Parliament of Canada Act (need to know), passed second reading.
This bill will formalize the process for parliamentarians to request a secret security clearance from the Government of Canada.
“It was an honour to table Bill C-377 back in the winter and partake in meaningful debate surrounding national security and access to information,” said Ruff. “I am proud to say that Bill C-377 passed second reading today in the House of Commons with the support from members of all parties, despite opposition from the Liberal Cabinet and the majority of the Liberal caucus.”
If Ruff’s bill becomes law it would enable MPs and senators to apply for secret security clearances without the government preventing them from doing so. The bill does not guarantee they would receive clearances and a full vetting process would still be in place.
“With the passage of my bill today, it represents the will of parliamentarians to increase parliament’s ability to take national security and intelligence issues seriously, and to reduce future impasses between the House of Commons and the government concerning access to classified information,” said Ruff.
The bill now will move into the committee stage for more discussions.
“I am looking forward to continuing the dialogue at the committee stage as we aim to make parliament and the government of Canada more transparent and accountable to Canadians,” said Ruff.
