Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs
Issue 11 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Tuesday, June 22, 2010
(25)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day, at 11:05 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, Rivest, Runciman, and Wallace (11).
In attendance: Gérald Lafrenière, Deputy Principal Clerk, Committees Directorate; 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 Monday, June 21, 2010, the committee began its study of Bill C-23A, An Act to amend the Criminal Records Act (Limiting Pardons for Serious Crimes Act).
APPEARING:
The Honourable Vic Toews, P.C., M.P., Minister of Public Safety.
WITNESSES:
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada:
Mary Campbell, Director General, Corrections Directorate;
Paul Shuttle, Executive Director and Senior General Counsel.
National Parole Board:
Harvey Cenaiko, Chairperson;
Shelley Trevethan, Executive Director General;
Denis Ladouceur, Director, Pardons and Clemency;
Gertrude Lavigne, Senior Counsel.
Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime:
Heidi Illingworth, Executive Director.
Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies:
Kim Pate, Executive Director.
The chair made an opening statement.
The Honourable Vic Toews, P.C., M.P., made a statement and together with Ms. Campbell, answered questions.
At 12:01 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 1:29 p.m., the committee resumed.
Mr. Cenaiko made a statement, and together with Ms. Lavigne, Ms. Trevethan and Mr. Ladouceur, answered questions.
At 2:55 p.m., the Honourable Senator Wallace took the chair.
At 3:06 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 3:08 p.m., the committee resumed with the Honourable Senator Fraser in the chair.
Ms. Illingworth and Ms. Pate each made a statement and answered questions.
At 3:55 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 4:01 p.m., the committee resumed.
Ms. Campbell, Ms. Lavigne and Mr. Shuttle answered questions.
At 4:35 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, June 23, 2010
(26)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day, at 12:33 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., Chaput, Fraser, Joyal, P.C., Lang, Ogilvie, Plett and Wallace (12).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Runciman (1).
In attendance: Jennifer Bird, 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 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). (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 9.)
WITNESS:
Department of Justice Canada:
John Giokas, Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section.
It was agreed to proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill S-6, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and another Act (Serious Time for the Most Serious 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, on division.
It was agreed that clause 3 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 4 carry, on division.
The chair asked whether clause 5 shall carry.
After debate, Mr. Giokas was invited to the table and answered questions. For the remainder of the committee's consideration of Bill S-6, Mr. Giokas remained at the table and answered questions from time to time.
It was agreed that clause 5 carry, on division.
The chair asked whether clause 6 shall carry.
After debate, it was agreed that clause 6 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 7 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 8 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 1, which contains the short title, carry, on division.
It was agreed that the title carry, on division.
It was agreed that the bill carry, on division.
It was agreed that the chair report the bill to the Senate.
At 12:41 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 12:42 p.m., the committee resumed and pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Monday, June 21, 2010, the committee continued its study of Bill C-23A, An Act to amend the Criminal Records Act (Limiting Pardons for Serious Crimes Act).
It was agreed to proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-23A, An Act to amend the Criminal Records Act (Limiting Pardons for Serious Crimes Act).
It was agreed that the title stand postponed, with the Honourable Senators Baker, P.C., Joyal, P.C., Carstairs, P.C. and Chaput abstaining.
It was agreed that clause 1, which contains the short title, stand postponed, with the Honourable Senators Baker, P.C., Joyal, P.C., Carstairs, P.C. and Chaput abstaining.
It was agreed that clause 2 carry, with the Honourable Senators Baker, P.C., Joyal, P.C., Carstairs, P.C. and Chaput abstaining.
It was agreed that clause 3 carry, with the Honourable Senators Baker, P.C., Joyal, P.C., Carstairs, P.C. and Chaput abstaining.
It was agreed that clause 4 carry, with the Honourable Senators Baker, P.C., Joyal, P.C., Carstairs, P.C. and Chaput abstaining.
It was agreed that clause 5 carry, with the Honourable Senators Baker, P.C., Joyal, P.C., Carstairs, P.C. and Chaput abstaining.
It was agreed that clause 6 carry, with the Honourable Senators Baker, P.C., Joyal, P.C., Carstairs, P.C. and Chaput abstaining.
It was agreed that clause 7 carry, with the Honourable Senators Baker, P.C., Joyal, P.C., Carstairs, P.C. and Chaput abstaining.
It was agreed that clause 8 carry, with the Honourable Senators Baker, P.C., Joyal, P.C., Carstairs, P.C. and Chaput abstaining.
It was agreed that clause 9 carry, with the Honourable Senators Baker, P.C., Joyal, P.C., Carstairs, P.C. and Chaput abstaining.
It was agreed that clause 10 carry, with the Honourable Senators Baker, P.C., Joyal, P.C., Carstairs, P.C. and Chaput abstaining.
It was agreed that clause 11 carry, with the Honourable Senators Baker, P.C., Joyal, P.C., Carstairs, P.C. and Chaput abstaining.
It was agreed that the schedule carry, with the Honourable Senators Baker, P.C., Joyal, P.C., Carstairs, P.C. and Chaput abstaining.
It was agreed that clause 1, which contains the short title, carry, with the Honourable Senators Baker, P.C., Joyal, P.C., Carstairs, P.C. and Chaput abstaining.
It was agreed that the title carry, with the Honourable Senators Baker, P.C., Joyal, P.C., Carstairs, P.C. and Chaput abstaining.
It was agreed that the bill carry, with the Honourable Senators Baker, P.C., Joyal, P.C., Carstairs, P.C. and Chaput abstaining.
It was agreed that the chair report the bill to the Senate, with the Honourable Senators Baker, P.C., Joyal, P.C., Carstairs, P.C. and Chaput abstaining.
At 12:47 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 12:48 p.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee resumed in camera to consider a draft agenda.
It was agreed that senators' staff be permitted to remain in the room during the in camera portion of today's meeting.
At 12:55 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Shaila Anwar
Clerk of the Committee