Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs
Issue 24 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Monday, March 21, 2011
(55)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day, at 11:15 a.m., in room 160-S, Centre Block, the chair, the Honourable Joan Fraser, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Baker, P.C., Carignan, Chaput, Fraser, Hervieux- Payette, P.C., Joyal, P.C., Lang, Runciman, Smith (Saurel) and Wallace (10).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Angus (1).
In attendance: Laura Barnett and Marcia Jones, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament; Till Heyde, Chamber Operations Clerk, Chamber Operations and Procedure Office.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, March 10, 2011, the committee began its consideration of Bill C-59, An Act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (accelerated parole review) and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.
APPEARING:
The Honourable Vic Toews, P.C., M.P., Minister of Public Safety.
WITNESSES:
Public Safety Canada:
Mary Campbell, Director General, Corrections Directorate.
Correctional Services Canada:
Don Head, Commissioner.
Parole Board of Canada:
Shelley Trevethan, Executive Director General;
Suzanne Brisebois, Director General, Policy, Planning and Operations..
Office of the Correctional Investigator:
Howard Sapers, Correctional Investigator of Canada;
Ivan Zinger, Executive Director and General Counsel.
Canadian Bar Association:
Gaylene Schellenberg, Lawyer;
John Conroy, Member, Committee on Imprisonment and Release.
Barreau du Québec:
Marc Sauvé, Director of Legal Services;
Stephen Fineberg, Representative.
Association des avocats et avocates en droit carcéral du Québec:
Jacinthe Lanctôt, Vice-President.
Association québécoise des avocats et avocates de la défense:
Joëlle Roy, Vice-President.
Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police:
Vincent Westwick, General Counsel, Ottawa Police Service, and Chair, Law Reform Committee.
Earl Jones Victims Organizing Committee:
Joey Davis, Co-Founder, and Spokesperson.
Mount Real Victims Group:
Janet Watson, Spokesperson and National Victims Coordinator.
John Howard Society of Canada:
Ed McIsaac, Interim Director of Policy.
Association des services de réhabilitation sociale du Québec:
David Henry, Communications and Programs Coordinator.
Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies:
Kim Pate, Executive Director.
Church Council on Justice and Corrections:
Laurent Champagne, President;
Lorraine Berzins, Community Chair of Justice.
As individuals:
Derryl Plecas, Professor;
Irvin Waller, Professor;
Michael Jackson, Professor;
Graham Stewart.
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 12:25 p.m., the Honourable Vic Toews, P.C., M.P., was excused and Ms. Campbell remained to answer questions.
At 12:45 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 1:10 p.m., the committee resumed.
Mr. Head and Ms. Trevethan each made a statement and, together with Ms. Brisebois, answered questions.
At 2:16 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 2:22 p.m., the committee resumed.
Mr. Sapers made a statement and, together with Mr. Zinger, answered questions.
At 3:23 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 3:32 p.m., the committee resumed.
Ms. Schellenberg, Mr. Conroy, Mr. Sauvé, Mr. Fineberg, Ms. Lanctôt and Ms. Roy each made a statement and answered questions.
At 5:04 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:11 p.m., the committee resumed, the Honourable John D. Wallace, deputy chair, presiding.
Mr. Westwick, Mr. Davis and Ms. Watson each made a statement and answered questions.
At 6:03 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 6:09 p.m., the committee resumed.
Mr. McIsaac, Mr. Henry, Ms. Pate, Mr. Champagne and Ms. Berzins each made a statement and answered questions.
At 7:21 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 7:44 p.m., the committee resumed, the Honourable Joan Fraser, chair, presiding.
Mr. Plecas, Mr. Waller, Mr. Stewart and Mr. Jackson each made a statement and answered questions.
At 9:08 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, March 22, 2011
(56)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day, at 9:05 a.m., in room 160-S, Centre Block, the chair, the Honourable Joan Fraser, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Baker, P.C., Boisvenu, Carignan, Chaput, Fraser, Joyal, P.C., Lang, Runciman, Smith (Saurel) and Wallace (10).
In attendance: Laura Barnett and Dominique Valiquet, 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, March 10, 2011, the committee continued its consideration of Bill C-59, An Act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (accelerated parole review) and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.
The chair made an opening statement.
It was agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-59, An Act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (accelerated parole review) and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.
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.
It was agreed that clause 5 carry, on division.
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 9 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 10 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 11 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 12 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 13 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 14 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 15 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 16 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, on division.
At 9:15 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, March 24, 2011
(57)
[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, Campbell, Carignan, Chaput, Fraser, Joyal, P.C., Lang, Runciman and Wallace (11).
In attendance: Laura Barnett and Marcia Jones, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament; Mark Audcent, Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Monday, March 21, 2011, the committee began its consideration of Bill C-475, An Act to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (methamphetamine and ecstasy).
WITNESSES:
As an individual:
John Weston, M.P., sponsor of the bill.
Health Canada:
Suzanne Desjardins, Director, Office of Research and Surveillance, Controlled Substances and Tobacco Directorate.
Department of Justice Canada:
Paul Saint-Denis, Senior Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section.
Orchard Recovery Center (by video conference):
Carrie De Jong, Addictions Counsellor.
The chair made an opening statement.
Mr. Weston, M.P., made a statement and answered questions.
At 11:44 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 11:51 a.m. the committee resumed.
Ms. Desjardins made a statement and, together with Mr. Saint-Denis, answered questions.
At 12:19 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 12:35 p.m., the committee resumed.
At 12:35 p.m., the Honourable Senator Campbell replaced the Honourable Senator Hervieux-Payette, P.C., as a member of the committee.
Ms. De Jong made a statement and answered questions.
At 12:48 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 12:55 p.m., the committee resumed.
It was agreed to invite Mr. Audcent, Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel, to the table to make a statement and answer questions.
At 1:06 p.m., it was agreed that, pursuant to rule 92(2)(f), the committee proceed in camera to consider a draft report.
It was agreed that senators' staff be permitted to remain in the room during the in camera portion of today's meeting.
At 1:20 p.m., the committee resumed in public.
The Honourable Senator Angus moved:
That the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-475, An Act to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (methamphetamine and ecstasy).
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted, on division, with the Honourable Senator Fraser dissenting.
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, with the Honourable Senator Fraser dissenting.
It was agreed that clause 3 carry.
It was agreed that the title carry.
It was agreed that the bill carry.
It was agreed that the chair report the bill to the Senate.
At 1:22 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Shaila Anwar
Clerk of the Committee