Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs

Issue 37 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Wednesday, November 27, 1996
(50)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, met this day, in Room 505, Victoria Building, at 3:17 p.m., the Chair, the Honourable Senator Sharon Carstairs, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Anderson, Beaudoin, Carstairs, Doyle, Gigantès, Jessiman, Lewis, Losier-Cool, Moore, Nolin and Pearson (11).

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

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

WITNESSES:

Professor Patrick Healy, Faculty of Law, McGill University.

Professor Julian Roberts, University of Ottawa.

From the Department of Justice:

Mr. Howard Bebbington, Counsel, Judicial Affairs Unit, Public Law Sector.

From the Canadian Bar Association:

Ms Joan Berkovitch, Senior Director, Legal and Governmental Affairs;

Professor Allan Manson, Queen's University, Member of the Imprisonment and Release Committee.

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 an opening statement.

Professor Patrick Healy made a statement.

Professor Julian Roberts made a statement.

Professors Healy and Roberts answered questions.

Mr. Bebbington addressed several issues raised by the Committee in their questions to Professors Healy and Roberts.

At 4:35 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 5:58 p.m., the sitting was resumed.

Ms Berkovitch made a statement.

Professor Allan Manson made a statement and, together with Ms Berkovitch, answered questions.

Senator Nolin asked a question of the Chair regarding the committee's options with respect to Bill C-45.

The committee discussed future business.

At 7:05 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Heather Lank

Clerk of the Committee