Today on the Hill: Committees look at the threats to Canadian security

OTTAWA — The issue of dealing with those who would harm Canadians will be the focus of two committee meetings taking place today on Parliament Hill.

The Senate national security and defence committee will be first off the mark as it hears from the founder of the Muslim Canadian Congress.

Tarak Fatah is among the witnesses appearing at the committee to talk about security threats.

Then, a Commons committee will hear from Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney as he speaks to his government's Bill C-44, the Protection of Canada from Terrorists Act.

Here are some other events taking place in and around Ottawa:

— The CRTC begins two weeks of hearings in Gatineau, Que., to examine the wholesale market behind Canada's retail fibre-optic networks, to see whether new regulations are needed to make the "wired" telecom industry more competitive;

— Young wannabe physicians will fan out across Parliament Hill, meeting MPs and senators to talk about creating a national pharmacare system;

— And the Speakers of both the Senate and the House of Commons will co-host the 20th Canada-Mexico interparliamentary meeting.