Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs

Issue 7 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 6, 2009
(13)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 4:08 p.m., in room 257, East Block, the chair, the Honourable Joan Fraser, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Angus, Baker, P.C., Dickson, Fraser, Joyal, P.C., Milne, Nolin, Peterson, Rivest, Rompkey, P.C. and Wallace (11).

In attendance: Jennifer Bird and Carolina Mingarelli, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, February 26, 2009, the committee continued its consideration of the provisions and operation of the DNA Identification Act (S.C. 1998, c. 37). (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 4.)

WITNESSES:

Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies:

Kim Pate, Executive Director.

The John Howard Society of Canada:

Craig Jones, Executive Director.

Canadian College of Medical Geneticists:

Martin Somerville, President.

The chair made an opening statement.

Mr. Jones and Ms. Pate each made a statement and, together, answered questions.

At 5:07 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:08 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Somerville made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:52 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:54 p.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee resumed in camera to consider a draft agenda.

At 5:57 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

OTTAWA, Thursday, May 7, 2009
(14)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 10:48 a.m., in room 257, East Block, the chair, the Honourable Joan Fraser, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Angus, Baker, P.C., Campbell, Dickson, Fraser, Joyal, P.C., Milne, Nolin, Rivest, Rompkey, P.C. and Wallace (11).

In attendance: Jennifer Bird and Carolina Mingarelli, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, February 26, 2009, the committee continued its consideration of the provisions and operation of the DNA Identification Act (S.C. 1998, c. 37). (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 4.)

WITNESSES:

Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime:

Steve Sullivan, Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime;

Joanne Taché, Senior Counsel.

The chair made an opening statement.

Ms. Taché and Mr. Sullivan each made a statement and, together, answered questions.

At 11:44 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 11:47 a.m., the committee resumed.

Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime:

Heidi Illingworth, Executive Director.

Victims of Violence Canadian Centre for Missing Children:

Sharon Rosenfeldt, President.

Ontario's Missing Adults:

Lusia Dion, Founder, Director.

Ms. Illingworth, Ms. Rosenfeldt and Ms. Dion each made a statement and, together, answered questions.

At 12:46 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Jessica Richardson

Clerk of the Committee