Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs

Issue 9 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Wednesday, June 9, 2010
(21)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day, at 4:17 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, Peterson, Rivest, Runciman, and Wallace (12).

In attendance: Cynthia Kirkby and Robin MacKay, 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 5, 2010, the committee began its study of Bill S-6, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and another Act (Serious Time for the Most Serious Crime Act).

APPEARING:

The Honourable Robert Nicholson, P.C., M.P., Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.

WITNESSES:

Department of Justice Canada:

Catherine Kane, Director General and Senior General Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section;

John Giokas, Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section.

Office of the Correctional Investigator:

Howard Sapers, Correctional Investigator of Canada;

Ivan Zinger, Executive Director and General Counsel.

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;

Rebecca Kong, Chief, Correctional Services Section, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics.

The chair made an opening statement.

The Honourable Robert Nicholson, P.C., made a statement and answered questions.

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

At 5:03 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Giokas and Ms. Kane answered questions.

At 5:24 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:43 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Sapers and Mr. Zinger each made a statement and answered questions.

At 6:47 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 6:59 p.m., the committee resumed.

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

At 7:32 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

OTTAWA, Thursday, June 10, 2010
(22)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 10:34 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, Carstairs, P.C., Fraser, Joyal, P.C., Lang, Munson, Rivest, Runciman, and Wallace (12).

In attendance: Jennifer Bird and Robin MacKay, 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 5, 2010, the committee continued its study of Bill S-6, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and another Act (Serious Time for the Most Serious Crime Act).

WITNESSES:

National Parole Board:

Harvey Cenaiko, Chairperson;

Shelley Trevethan, Executive Director General;

Gertrude Lavigne, Senior Counsel.

Correctional Service Canada:

Ian McCowan, Assistant Commissioner, Policy Section;

Lynn Garrow, Associate Assistant Commissioner, Policy Section.

The chair made an opening statement.

Mr. Cenaiko made a statement and, together with Ms. Trevethan and Ms. Lavigne, answered questions.

At 12:00 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 12:06 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. McCowan made a statement and, together with Ms. Garrow, answered questions.

At 12:49 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Shaila Anwar

Clerk of the Committee