Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs
Issue 21 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, July 13, 2005
(45)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day, at 9:02 a.m., in room 160-S, Centre Block, the Honourable Lise Bacon, Chair, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Austin, P.C., Bacon, Chaput, Cools, Eyton, Joyal, P.C., Milne, Mitchell, Nolin, Ringuette, St. Germain, P.C. and Stratton (13).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Cowan, Hervieux-Payette, P.C. and Prud'homme, P.C. (3).
In attendance: From the Library of Parliament, Kristen Douglas and Mary C. Hurley, Analysts.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, July 6, 2005, the committee continued its consideration of Bill C-38. (For complete text of Order of Reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 19).
WITNESSES:
AS A PANEL:
Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops:
Cardinal Marc Ouellet;
Hélène Aubé, Lawyer.
Evangelical Fellowship of Canada:
Bruce Clemenger, President;
Janet Epp Buckingham, Director, Law and Public Policy.
Islamic Council of Imams-Canada:
Abdul Hai Patel.
Law Commission of Canada:
Yves Le Bouthillier, President;
Lorraine Pelot, Senior Research Officer.
Cardinal Ouellet, Mr. Clemenger, Ms. Epp Buckingham and Mr. Patel made opening statements and, together with Ms. Aubé, answered questions.
It was agreed that the documents entitled "Letters from provincial Attorneys General'' submitted by Ms. Epp Buckingham be filed as an exhibit (Exhibit 5900-1.38/ L1-C-38, 21, "16'').
At 11:25 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 11:35 a.m., the committee resumed.
Mr. Le Bouthillier made an opening statement and, together with Ms. Pelot, answered questions.
At 12:42 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, July 13, 2005
(46)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day, at 1:23 p.m., in room 160-S, Centre Block, the Honourable Lise Bacon, Chair, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Austin, P.C., Bacon, Chaput, Cools, Eyton, Joyal, P.C., Milne, Mitchell, Pearson, Ringuette, St. Germain, P.C. and Stratton (12).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Hervieux-Payette, P.C. and Prud'homme, P.C. (2).
In attendance: From the Library of Parliament, Kristen Douglas and Mary C. Hurley, Analysts.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on. Wednesday, July 6, 2005, the committee continued its consideration of Bill C-38. (For complete text of Order of Reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 19).
WITNESSES:
As individuals:
Gerry Chipeur;
Cynthia Petersen;
Dr. John Patrick, Augustine College.
AS A PANEL:
United Church of Canada:
Reverend Brian Cornelius, Executive Secretary, Montreal and Ottawa Conference;
Choice Okoro, Programme Minister, Human Rights and Reconciliation Initiatives.
World Sikh Organization:
Ajit Singh Sahota, President;
Anne Lowthian, Executive Director.
Mr. Chipeur made an opening statement and answered questions.
Ms. Petersen made an opening statement and answered questions.
At 3:30 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 3:32 p.m., the committee resumed.
Reverend Brian Cornelius, Ms. Okoro and Ms. Lowthian made opening statements and, together with Mr. Sahota, answered questions.
It was agreed that the documents entitled "Recherche lexicographique sur le mot MARIAGE / MARRIAGE'' (Exhibit 5900-1.38/L1-C-38, 21, "17''), "Review of Empirical Studies on the Cognitive and psychological Development and Quality of the Family Environment of Children Conceived by Assisted Reproductive Technology — final version'' (Exhibit 5900-1.38/L1-C-38, 21, "18''), "Revue des études empiriques sur le développement cognitif et psychosocial et la qualité de l'environnement familial des enfants conçus à l'aide des techniques de procréation assistée'' (Exhibit 5900- 1.38/L1-C-38, 21, "19'') and "Recherche lexicographique sur le mot mariage/marriage'' (Exhibit 5900-1.38/L1-C-38, 21, "20'') submitted by the Honourable Senator Hervieux-Payette, P.C., be filed as exibits.
At 5:25 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:31 p.m., the committee resumed.
Dr. Patrick made an opening statement and answered questions.
At 6:30 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Adam Thompson
Clerk of the Committee