The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that David McGuinty, Member of Parliament for Ottawa South, will be taking a leadership role in the proposed statutory committee of Parliamentarians that will be responsible for reviewing security-related issues. A proposal to fulfill this mandate letter commitment will be brought forward in the coming months. The committee will be instrumental in helping the government meet its stated goal of strengthening national security oversight.

Mr. McGuinty brings a wealth of national and global experience to this position. A lawyer by profession, Mr. McGuinty is a Harvard-trained mediator and negotiator who worked for many years outside of Canada to advance good governance, the rule of law, and improve human rights in emerging democracies. He has also worked with governments, businesses, and not-for-profit organizations around the world on a wide range of issues including the economy and the environment.

In addition, Mr. McGuinty has extensive experience as a Member of Parliament, having served as Official Opposition House Leader, Vice-Chair of several House of Commons Standing Committees, and critic for various portfolios since first being elected in 2004.

Biographical notes attached.