LCJC - Standing Committee

Legal and Constitutional Affairs

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40-2 40th Parliament, 2nd Session (January 26, 2009 - December 30, 2009)
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Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs

Issue 17 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Wednesday, October 28, 2009
(34)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 4:03 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., Carignan, Fraser, Joyal, P.C., Milne, Nolin, Wallace and Watt (9).

In attendance: Jennifer Bird and Robin MacKay, 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, September 17, 2009, the committee continued its consideration of Bill C-15, An Act to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 15.)

WITNESSES:

Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM):

Mary Price, Vice-President (by videoconference).

The Sentencing Project:

Marc Mauer, Executive Director (by videoconference).

Criminal Justice Policy Foundation:

Eric E. Sterling, President (by videoconference).

As an individual:

Sharon Dolovich, Professor, Georgetown Law, Georgetown University (by videoconference).

Vera Institute of Justice:

Michael Jacobson, Director (by videoconference).

The chair made an opening statement.

Mr. Mauer and Ms. Price each made a statement and, together, answered questions.

At 5:01 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:02 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Sterling and Ms. Dolovich each made a statement and, together, answered questions.

At 6:02 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 6:07 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Jacobson made a statement and answered questions.

The Honourable Senator Nolin moved that the following documents be appended to the committee proceedings:

  • the letter from Mr. Brian Saunders, dated October 23, 2009
    (see Appendix 5900-2.40/L1-C-15, 16 "2'');
  • the letter from Mr. Jamie Chaffe, dated October 26, 2009
    (see Appendix 5900-2.40/L1-C-15, 16 "3'');
  • the brief of Eric Sterling (see Appendix 5900-2.40/L1-C-15, 17 "4'');
  • the brief of Marc Mauer (see Appendix 5900-2.40/L1-C-15, 17 "5''), and
  • the Criminal Intelligence Service of Canada, 2008 and 2009 Reports on Organized Crime (see Appendix 5900-2.40/ L1-C-15, 17 "6'').

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Angus moved that the following material be filed as exhibits with the clerk of the committee:

  • Submission by the Toronto Drug Strategy Implementation Panel (Exhibit 5900-2.40/L1- C-15, 17 "1'')
  • Submission by the Hon. Dave Chomiak, Minister of Justice and Attorney General (Manitoba) (Exhibit 5900-2.40/ L1-C-15, 17 "2'')
  • Submission by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (Exhibit 5900-2.40/L1-C-15, 17 "3'').

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

At 7:08 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

OTTAWA, Thursday, October 29, 2009
(35)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 10:50 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, Carignan, Fraser, Joyal, P.C., Milne, Nolin, Rivest, Wallace and Watt (11).

In attendance: Jennifer Bird and Robin MacKay, 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, September 17, 2009, the committee continued its consideration of Bill C-15, An Act to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 15.)

WITNESSES:

As individuals:

Darryl Plecas, Director, Centre for Criminal Justice Research, University of the Fraser Valley;

Elizabeth Sheehy, Professor, University of Ottawa;

James Morton, Professor, Osgoode Hall Law School;

Scott Wheildon, Lawyer.

The chair made an opening statement.

Ms. Sheehy and Mr. Plecas each made a statement and, together, answered questions.

At 12:23 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 12:25 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Morton and Mr. Wheildon each made a statement and, together, answered questions.

At 1:26 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Jessica Richardson

Clerk of the Committee