Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs
Issue 19 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 28, 2008
(40)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 4:07 p.m., in room 2, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Joan Fraser, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Baker, P.C., Fraser, Joyal, P.C., Merchant, Milne, Oliver, Peterson and Watt (9).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Furey (1).
In attendance: Robin MacKay, Analyst, 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 Wednesday, May 14, 2008, the committee began its consideration of Bill C-31, An Act to amend the Judges Act.
APPEARING:
The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., M.P., Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.
WITNESSES:
Department of Justice Canada:
Judith Bellis, General Counsel and Director, Judicial Affairs, Courts and Tribunal Policy;
David Near, Judicial Affairs Advisor, Minister's Office;
Catherine Mckinnon, Counsel, Judicial Affairs, Courts and Tribunal Policy.
APPEARING:
The Honourable Jerome P. Kennedy, M.H.A., Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador:
John FitzGerald, Provincial Representative in Ottawa;
Ken Morrissey, Director of Communications, Department of Justice.
Mr. Nicholson made an opening statement and, together with Ms. Bellis, Mr. Near and Ms. Mckinnon, answered questions.
At 5:15 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:17 p.m., the committee resumed.
Mr. Kennedy made an opening statement and, together with Mr. FitzGerald and Mr. Morrissey, answered questions.
At 6:15 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, May 29, 2008
(41)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 10:47 a.m., in room 2, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Joan Fraser, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Baker, P.C., Fraser, Joyal, P.C., Merchant, Milne, Oliver, Peterson and Stratton (9).
In attendance: Robin MacKay, Analyst, 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 Wednesday, May 14, 2008, the committee continued its consideration of Bill C-31, An Act to amend the Judges Act.
APPEARING:
The Honourable Thomas J. Burke, Q.C., M.L.A., Attorney General and Minister of Justice and Consumer Affairs, Government of New Brunswick.
WITNESSES:
New Brunswick Department of Justice and Consumer Affairs:
Anne McKay, Director of Program Support Services, Court Services Division;
Debbie Hackett, Director of Policy and Planning;
As individuals:
Alfred A. Mamo, Principal, Alfred A. Mamo & Associates.
Jacob Ziegel, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Law, University of Toronto;
Sébastien Grammond, Vice-Dean (Research) and Associate Professor, Civil Law Section, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa.
Mr. Burke made an opening statement and, together with Ms. McKay and Ms. Hackett, answered questions.
Mr. Mamo made an opening statement and answered questions.
At 12:15 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 12:17 p.m., the committee resumed.
Mr. Ziegel and Mr. Grammond each made opening statements and, together, answered questions.
At 1:19 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Adam Thompson
Clerk of the Committee