Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs

Issue 8 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Wednesday, June 2, 2010
(19)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day, at 4:15 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., Boisvenu, Carignan, Carstairs, P.C., Fraser, Joyal, P.C., Lang, Rivest, Runciman, Wallace and Watt (12).

In attendance: Jennifer Bird and Cynthia Kirkby, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament; and Mona Ishack, Communications Officer, Communications Directorate.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, May 26, 2010, the committee continued its study of Bill S-9, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (auto theft and trafficking in property obtained by crime). (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 7.)

WITNESSES:

Statistics Canada:

Julie McAuley, Director, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics;

Mia Dauvergne, Senior Analyst, Policing Services Program, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics;

Craig Grimes, Senior Analyst, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics;

Winnipeg Police Association:

Mike Sutherland, President.

University of Manitoba:

Rick Linden, Professor.

Canadian Council of Criminal Defence Lawyers:

Phil Downes, Representative.

Canadian Association of Crown Counsel:

Jamie Chaffe, President.

The chair made an opening statement.

Ms. McAuley, made a statement and, together with Ms. Dauvergne and Mr. Grimes, answered questions.

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

At 5:10 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Linden and Mr. Sutherland each made a statement and answered questions.

At 6:27 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 6:33 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Downes made a statement and answered questions.

At 7:13 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 7:15 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Chaffe made a statement and answered questions.

At 8:02 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

OTTAWA, Thursday, June 3, 2010
(20)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 10:36 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., Boisvenu, Carignan, Robichaud, P.C., Fraser, Joyal, P.C., Lang, Rivest, Runciman, Wallace and Watt (12).

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

WITNESSES:

Department of Justice Canada:

William Bartlett, Senior Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section;

Paula Clarke, Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section.

It was agreed to proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill S-9, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (auto theft and trafficking in property obtained by crime).

It was agreed that the title stand postponed.

It was agreed that clause 1, which contains the short title, stand postponed.

It was agreed that clause 2 carry.

It was agreed that clause 3

The chair asked whether clause 4 shall carry.

After debate, Mr. Bartlett and Ms. Clarke were invited to the table and answered questions. For the remainder of the meeting, they answered questions from time to time.

It was agreed that clause 4 carry, on division.

It was agreed that clause 5 carry.

It was agreed that clause 6 carry.

It was agreed that clause 7 carry.

It was agreed that clause 8 carry.

It was agreed that clause 9 carry.

The chair asked whether clause 10 shall carry.

After debate it was agreed that clause 10 carry.

It was agreed that clause 11 carry.

It was agreed that clause 12 carry, on division.

It was agreed that clause 13 carry.

It was agreed that clause 1, which contains the short title, carry.

It was agreed that the title carry.

It was agreed that the bill carry, on division.

It was agreed that the chair report the bill to the Senate.

At 11:07 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 11:10 a.m., the committee, pursuant to rule 92(2)(f), resumed in camera to consider a draft report.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, March 16, 2010, the committee continued its study 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. 1.)

It was agreed that senators' staff be permitted to remain in the room during the in camera portion of today's meeting.

It was agreed that the following material be filed as an exhibit with the clerk of the committee:

Response from the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety to a question taken on notice by witness Barry MacKillop at the March 25, 2010 meeting, relating to the DNA study. (Exhibit 5900-3.40/L1-SS-1-7,2,''7'')

It was agreed that the draft report on the statutory review of the DNA Identification Act be adopted, as amended.

It was agreed that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to approve the final version of the report, incorporating the changes discussed today, and making any necessary grammatical, typographical and/or editorial changes without modifying the substance of the report.

It was agreed that the chair be authorized to table the report in the Senate.

It was agreed that chair be authorized to ask that, pursuant to rule 131(2), the Senate request a complete and detailed response from the government to this report.

At 1:13 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Shaila Anwar

Clerk of the Committee

Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs

Issue 8 - Minutes of Proceedings

Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs