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.

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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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