PRIME MINISTER ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT TO THE
SECURITY INTELLIGENCE REVIEW COMMITTEE
February 20, 2003
Ottawa, Ontario
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced the appointment of Baljit Singh
Chadha as a member of the Security Intelligence Review Committee (SIRC).
Mr. Chadha lives in Montreal, Québec where he is President of Balcorp
Limited. Founded in 1976, Balcorp Limited is a trading house with offices in
Montreal, as well as Mumbai and New Delhi, India. Born in India, Mr. Chadha
arrived in Canada to study in 1973. In addition to his significant presence in
the world of international trade, Mr. Chadha has been tireless in his efforts to
encourage tolerance and multiculturalism within Canada and philanthropic work to
promote education, multiculturalism, and the arts.
In accordance with the requirements of the Canadian Security Intelligence
Service Act, Mr. Chadha was sworn into the Queen’s Privy Council of Canada.
Established in 1984, SIRC provides an external review of the Canadian
Security Intelligence Service’s performance of its duties and functions. It
also examines complaints by individuals or reports by Ministers relating to
security clearances and the national security of Canada. The Committee is
required to report annually to Parliament through the Solicitor General.
This appointment is effective immediately.
A biography of Mr. Chadha is attached, as is a complete listing of SIRC
members.
Baljit Singh Chadha
Baljit Singh Chadha is the President of Balcorp Limited, a well-established
trading house with offices in Montreal, Quebec and Mumbai and New Delhi, India.
Born in Mumbai, India, Mr. Chadha came to Canada in 1973 to study business at
the University of Western Ontario and later at Concordia University.
Mr. Chadha founded Balcorp Limited in 1976 with borrowed capital and a single
desk. Today this international trading company has varied interests that include
agrifood products, processed foods, forestry products, and minerals. Balcorp has
played a critical role in developing export markets for mineral and food
products from Quebec.
Mr. Chadha’s dedication to advancing education and trade have given him a
distinguished profile in Montreal and in Canada. He sits on the Board of
Governors of Concordia University, has advised the Office of the Mayor of
Montreal on Indo-Canadian affairs, serves on the advisory board of the
Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce and was nominated as President for the Central
Canada region of the International Punjabi Society.
He has been honoured with several awards for his philanthropic endeavours and
tireless efforts to promote multiculturalism, including the Commemorative Medal
for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee to recognize his
significant contribution to Canada, to fellow Canadians and his community.
***
MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY INTELLIGENCE REVIEW COMMITTEE
The Hon. Paule Gauthier of Quebec City (Chair)
The Hon. Gary Albert Filmon of Winnipeg, Manitoba
The Hon. Raymond A. Speaker of Enchant, Alberta
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