Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs
Issue 31 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, June 13, 2007
(75)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 4:22 p.m., in room 257, East Block, the Chair, the Honourable Donald H. Oliver, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Baker, P.C., Bryden, Fraser, Joyal, P.C., Milne, Oliver, Stratton and Trenholme Counsell (9).
In attendance: Margaret Young, Principal; Wade Riordan Raaflaub and Robin Mackay, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on May 9, 2007, the committee continued its consideration of Bill C-18, to amend certain acts in relation to DNA identification. (For a complete text of the Order of Reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 30.)
WITNESSES:
Department of Justice Canada:
David Bird, Counsel, Legal Services — RCMP.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police:
Isabelle Trudel, Officer in Charge, National DNA Data Bank.
Robert M. Thompson, Superintendent and Director, Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services.
The Chair made an opening statement.
Mr. Bird made a statement and, together with Ms. Trudel and Mr. Thompson, answered questions.
At 6:16 p.m. the committee proceeded to discuss other business.
It was agreed to invite Ms. Young to the table.
By unanimous consent, it was agreed that the committee thank Margaret Young, upon the occasion of her retirement for her excellent work for the committee and for her dedication to the service of the Senate over her 24 years working for Parliament.
At 6:16 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, June 14, 2007
(76)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 10:53 a.m., in room 257, East Block, the Chair, the Honourable Donald H. Oliver, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Baker, P.C., Bryden, Fraser, Joyal, P.C., Milne, Nolin, Oliver, Rivest, Stratton and Trenholme Counsell (10).
In attendance: Wade Riordan-Raaflaub and Robin Mackay, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on May 9, 2007, the committee continued its consideration of Bill C-18, to amend certain acts in relation to DNA identification. (For a complete text of the Order of Reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 30.)
WITNESSES:
Department of Justice Canada:
Greg Yost, Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section Department of Justice Canada.
David Bird, Counsel, Legal Services — RCMP.
The Chair made an opening statement.
It was agreed that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure and Senator Fraser be empowered to approve the final version of the observations being appended to the report, taking into consideration today's discussion and with any necessary editorial, grammatical or translation changes required.
With leave, it was agreed that the committee dispense with clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-18, to amend certain acts in relation to DNA identification.
It was agreed that the bill carry.
It was agreed that the committee append observations to the report.
The committee proceeded to discuss observations.
It was agreed to invite the witnesses to the table to answer questions during the discussion of observations being appended to the report on Bill C-18. The witnesses answered questions from time to time.
It was agreed that this bill be reported without amendment and with observations appended, to the Senate as soon as possible.
At 11:41 am, the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Shaila Anwar
Clerk of the Committee