Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and
Constitutional Affairs
Issue 11 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Monday, December 15, 1997
(12)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, met this day in Room 257, East Block, at 10:39 a.m., the Chairman, the Honourable Senator Lorna Milne, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Beaudoin, Cogger, Gigantès, Jessiman, Losier-Cool, Milne, Moore, Nolin, Pearson, Petten and Watt (9).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Cools (1).
In attendance: James Robertson, Marilyn Pilon and David Goetz, Research Officers, Research Branch of the Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, December 11, 1997, at 10:39 a.m. the committee commenced its examination of the Regulations pursuant to subsection 7(6) and 7(7) of the Referendum Act proposed by the Chief Electoral Officer.
WITNESS:
From Elections Canada:
Mr. Jacques Girard, Director, Legal Services and Registrar of Political Parties;
The Chairman made an opening statement.
Mr. Girard made a statement and answered questions.
It was agreed -- That the Proposed Regulations be reported to the Senate without further hearings.
After debate, it was agreed -- That the report be tabled in the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, December 11, 1997, at 10:48 a.m. the committee commenced its consideration of Bill C-16, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Interpretation Act (powers to arrest and enter dwellings).
WITNESSES:
From the Department of Justice:
Mr. Yvan Roy, Senior General Counsel, Criminal Law Policy;
Mr. Michael Zigayer, Senior Counsel, Criminal Law Policy.
From the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police:
Mr. Brian Ford, President, Law Amendments Committee, Chief, Ottawa-Carleton Police Service;
Mr. Vince Westwick, Legal Advisor, Law Amendments Committee.
From the Canadian Police Association:
Mr. Scott Newark, Executive Director.
From the Criminal Lawyers Association:
Mr. Irwin Koziebrocki, Treasurer.
Mr. Robert E. Hawkins, Associate Professor of Public Law, University of Western Ontario.
From REAL Women of Canada:
C. Gwendolyn Landolt, National Vice-President.
At 10:54 a.m., the committee proceeded in camera.
At 11:20 a.m., the committee resumed in public.
The Chairman announced that it had been agreed during the in camera session that the Minister of Justice will be heard on Tuesday, December 16, 1997 and that invitations to appear be extended to the Attorneys General of British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec.
Mr. Roy made a statement and, together with Mr. Zigayer and Ms. Blackell, answered questions.
Senator Gigantès raised a point of order regarding the use of electronic equipment, in this case a laptop computer, in committee.
Senator Milne ruled that , pursuant to rule 19(4) of the Rules of the Senate, electronic devices which do not produce any sound may be used in committee.
At 1:10 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 1:31 p.m., the committee resumed.
Mr. Brian Ford made a statement.
Mr. Scott Newark made a statement and, together with Mr. Ford and Mr. Westwick, answered questions.
At 2:07 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 2:26 p.m., the committee resumed.
Senator Cogger asked that the committee later have another in camera session to discuss several issues.
Mr. Koziebrocki made a statement and answered questions.
Mr. Robert E. Hawkins made a statement and answered questions.
At 3:55 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 4:06 p.m., the committee resumed.
Ms. C. Gwendolyn Landolt made a statement and answered questions.
At 4:50 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:31 p.m., the committee resumed.
Ms. Landolt answered a further question.
Mr. Yvan Roy answered further questions.
At 6:20 p.m., Senator Cogger took the Chair.
At 6:24 p.m., Senator Milne resumed the Chair.
Mr. Roy answered further questions.
After debate, it was agreed -- That the committee meet, in camera, at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 16, 1997 and that the Minister of Justice be heard, in public, at 1:15 p.m.
After debate, it was agreed -- That clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-16 be put on the notice and agenda for the meeting of Tuesday, December 16, 1997.
At 6:44 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Heather Lank
Clerk of the Committee