Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs
Issue 15 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 10, 2000
(21)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met in camera this day at 4:02 p.m. in room 257, East Block, the Chair, the Honourable Lorna Milne, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Beaudoin, Cools, Fraser, Joyal, P.C., Milne, Moore, Pearson, and Pépin (9).
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Nancy Holmes and Marilyn Pilon, Research Officers.
The committee proceeded to consider its future business.
It was agreed that the Chair seek authorisation from the Senate for the committee to examine issues relating to sentencing in Canada, with a reporting deadline of June 21, 2001.
At 4:40 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, May 11, 2000
(22)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 10:52 a.m. in room 257, East Block, the Chair, the Honourable Lorna Milne, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Beaudoin, Cools, Fraser, Joyal, P.C., Milne, Moore, and Pépin (8).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Bryden and Roche (2).
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Nancy Holmes and Mary Hurley, Research Officers.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, May 9, 2000, the committee began its examination of Bill C-23, An Act to modernize the statutes of Canada in relation to benefits and obligations.
APPEARING:
The Honourable Anne McLellan, P.C., M.P., Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.
WITNESSES:
From the Department of Justice:
Janice Charette, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy Sector;
Michelle Gosselin, Project Manager, Modernizing Benefits;
Lisa Hitch, Senior Counsel, Modernizing Benefits;
Mark Jewett, Q.C., Senior Assistant Deputy Minister.
The Honourable Anne McLellan, P.C., M.P., made a statement and, with Ms Hitch and Mr. Jewett, answered questions.
At 12:50 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 17, 2000
(23)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 4:04 p.m. in Room 257, East Block, the Chair, the Honourable Lorna Milne, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Beaudoin, Cools, Fraser, Joyal, P.C., Milne, Pearson, and Pépin (8).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Poy (1).
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Nancy Holmes and Mary Hurley, Research Officers.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, May 9, 2000, the Committee continued its examination of Bill C-23, An Act to modernize the Statutes of Canada in relation to benefits and obligations (see Proceedings of the Committee, Issue no. 15, dated May 10, 2000, for full text of Order of Reference).
WITNESSES:
From the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada:
Dr. Janet Epp Buckingham.
From the Focus on the Family (Canada) Association:
Derek Rogusky, Researcher.
From Women for Life, Faith and Family:
Diane Watts, National President.
From the Toronto District Muslim Education Assembly:
Ibrahim El-Sayed, President;
Dr. Mobarak Ali.
From the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto:
Paul Fairley, Director, Congregational Life.
From the United Church of Canada:
William Doyle, Co-Chair, Church in Society Co-ordinating Group.
From the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach:
John Mameamskum, Director General;
Willie Mameanskum, Councillor;
Robert Pratt, Legal Counsel.
Dr. Epp Buckingham, Mr. Rogusky, and Ms Watts made presentations and together answered questions.
Mr. El-Sayed, Dr. Ali, Mr. Fairley, and Mr. Doyle made presentations and together answered questions.
At 6:34 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 7:03 p.m., the committee resumed.
Mr. Mameamskum made a presentation and, with Mr. Pratt, answered questions.
Mr. Pratt tabled with the Clerk of the Committee the following doucments:
1) A letter dated February 14, 2000 by the Honourable Robert D. Nault, P.C., M.P., Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, addressed to Chief Philip Einish, with attached copy of two amendments, filed as Exhibit No. 5900 L1/C-23, 1 "15".
2. A letter dated February 21, 2000 by Chief Philip Einish addressed to the Honourable Robert Nault, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, filed as Exhibit No. 5900 L1/C-23, 2 "15".
3. A letter dated March 23, 2000 by Chief Philip Einish addressed to the Honourable Robert Nault, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, filed as Exhibit No. 5900 L1/C-23 3 "15".
4. A letter dated March 31, 2000 by the Honourable Robert D. Nault, P.C., M.P. addressed to Chief Philip Einish, filed as Exhibit No. 5900 L1/C-23 4 "15".
5. A letter dated March 31, 2000 by Chief Philip Einish addressed to the Honourable Robert Nault, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, filed as Exhibit No. 5900 L1/C-23 5 "15".
6. A letter dated April 4, 2000 by Chief Philip Einish addressed to the Honourable Robert Nault, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, filed as Exhibit No. 5900 L1/C-23 6 "15".
It was agreed that the Chair write to the Minister of Justice, the Honourable Anne McLellan, asking for clarification on the issues raised by the representatives of the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach.
At 7:41 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, May 18, 2000
(24)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 10:51 a.m. in room 257, East Block, the Chair, the Honourable Lorna Milne, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Beaudoin, Cools, Fraser, Joyal, P.C., Milne, Pearson, and Pépin (8).
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Nancy Holmes and Mary Hurley, Research Officers.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, May 9, 2000, the Committee continued its examination of Bill C-23, An Act to modernize the Statutes of Canada in relation to benefits and obligations (see Proceedings of the Committee, Issue no. 15, dated May 10, 2000, for full text of Order of Reference).
WITNESSES:
From Equality for Gays and Lesbians Everywhere (EGALE):
Kim Vance, President;
John Fisher, Executive Director.
From the "Coalition gaie et lesbienne du Québec":
Claudine Ouellet, Director General.
From the National Action Committee on the Status of Women:
Jon Leah Hopkins, Chair, Lesbian Issues Committee.
From the Foundation for Equal Families:
David Corbett, Legal Counsel.
The witnesses made presentations and answered questions.
At 12:40 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Till Heyde
Clerk of the Committee