Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs

Issue 36 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Thursday, November 21, 1996
(48)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, met this day, in Room 256-S, Centre Block, at 10:34 a.m., the Chair, the Honourable Senator Sharon Carstairs, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Beaudoin, Carstairs, Doyle, Gigantès, Lewis, Losier-Cool, Milne, and Pearson (8).

In attendance: Marilyn Pilon, Research Officer, Research Branch of the Library of Parliament.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

WITNESSES:

From the Canadian Criminal Justice Association:

Mr. Mathew Yeager, Secretary;

Mr. Brian Gough, ex-offender, serving life on parole;

Ms Johanne Vallée, member, Director General, Quebec Association of Social Rehabilitation Agencies.

From the Church Council on Justice and Corrections:

Mr. Rick Prashaw, Communications Coordinator.

From the St. Leonard's Society of Canada:

Ms Elizabeth White, Executive Director;

Mr. Donald Evans, Board of Directors.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, October 22, 1996, the committee continued its consideration of Bill C-45, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (judicial review of parole ineligibility) and another Act. ( See Issue No. 32, Wednesday, October 30, 1996, for full text of Order of Reference.)

The Chair made a statement.

Mr. Mathew Yeager made a statement and asked that the brief of the Canadian Criminal Justice Association be filed as an exhibit with the committee (Exhibit No. 5900-L-1-C-45-36 "3").

Mr. Brian Gough made a statement.

Ms Johanne Vallée made a statement.

Mr. Rick Prashaw made a statement.

Ms Elizabeth White made a statement.

Mr. Donald Evans made a statement.

The witnesses answered questions.

The Chair informed the committee that she had written the Hon. Joyce Faibairn on November 6 regarding the committee's recommendations on Bill C-8.

At 12:25 p.m., the committee suspended its hearing.

At 12:30 p.m., the committee resumed in camera for the screening of Benmergui Live interviewing lifers from Warkworth Prison.

At 1:14 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

OTTAWA, Thursday, November 21, 1996
(49)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, met this day, in Room 256-S, Centre Block, at 1:35 p.m., the Chair, the Honourable Senator Sharon Carstairs, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Beaudoin, Carstairs, Doyle, Gigantès, Lewis, Losier-Cool, Milne, and Pearson (8).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Cools and Wood (2).

In attendance: Marilyn Pilon, Research Officer, Research Branch of the Library of Parliament.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

WITNESSES:

From Action for Victims:

Mrs. Darlene Boyd, Member;

Mrs. Debbie Mahaffy, Director.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, October 22, 1996, the committee continued its consideration of Bill C-45, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (judicial review of parole ineligibility) and another Act. ( See Issue No. 32, Wednesday, October 30, 1996, for full text of Order of Reference.)

Mrs. Darlene Boyd made a statement and answered questions.

It was agreed -- THAT the list of names of murderers, by province, up to the year 2007, who are eligible as of December 31, 1996 to apply under Section 745, as well as the list of the Judicial Review Decisions, provided by Mrs. Boyd be filed as an exhibit with the committee (Exhibit 5900-L1-C-45-36 "4").

Mrs. Debbie Mahaffy made a statement and answered questions.

At 2:45 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Heather Lank

Clerk of the Committee