Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs

Issue 2 - Minutes of Proceedings - October 19, 2011

OTTAWA, Wednesday, October 19, 2011
(8)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met at 4:20 p.m. this day, in camera, in room 257, East Block, the chair, the Honourable John D. Wallace presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Angus, Baker, P.C., Banks, Boisvenu, Chaput, Fraser, Frum, Joyal, P.C., Lang, Meredith, Runciman and Wallace (12).

In attendance: Laura Barnett and Erin Shaw, 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 Tuesday, September 27, 2011, the committee continued its study on the Parole Board of Canada's User Fees Proposal.

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

It was agreed that the committee allow the transcription of the in camera portions of today's meeting, that one copy be kept in the office of the clerk of the committee for consultation by committee members present or by the committee analysts, and that the transcript be destroyed by the clerk when authorized to do so by the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, but no later than at the end of this parliamentary session.

It was agreed that the following materials be filed as exhibits with the clerk of the committee:

Supplementary statistical information provided by Sheldon Kennedy relating to the Committee's Special Study on the National Parole Board's Pardon Application Fees. (Exhibit 1120-04-02-1.41/L1-SS-1-7,''1'')

Cost Benefit Analysis: Proposed cost Recovery for the Processing of Pardon Applications provided by the Parole Board of Canada relating to the Committee's Special Study on the National Parole Board's Pardon Application Fees.(Exhibit 1120-04-02-1.41/L1-SS-1-7,''2'')

The chair made an opening statement.

Pursuant to rule 92(2)(f), the committee commenced its consideration of a draft report.

After debate, it was moved:

That the committee's fourth report, recommending that the Senate approve the proposal from the Parole Board of Canada to increase the current fee for the processing of a pardon application from $150 to $631, be adopted, in accordance with section 5 of the User Fees Act.

After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted on the following vote:

YEAS — 6

NAYS — 5

It was agreed that the committee append observations to the report.

It was agreed that the analysts prepare draft observations, taking into consideration today's discussion for review by the committee at next week's meetings.

At 6:20 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Shaila Anwar

Clerk of the Committee