Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs

Issue 33 - Minutes of Proceedings - March 25, 2013

OTTAWA, Monday, March 25, 2013
(76)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 2:01 p.m., in room 160-S, Centre Block, the chair, the Honourable Bob Runciman, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Baker, P.C., Batters, Dagenais, Enverga, Fraser, Jaffer, Joyal, P.C., McIntyre, Ogilvie, Rivest, Runciman and White (12).

In attendance: Lyne Casavant 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 21, 2013, the committee began its consideration of Bill C-55, An Act to amend the Criminal Code.

WITNESSES:

Justice Canada:

Donald Piragoff, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister;

Karen Audcent, Senior Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section.

Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada:

Chantal Bernier, Assistant Privacy Commissioner;

Patricia Kosseim, Senior General Counsel, Director General.

Canadian Council of Criminal Defence Lawyers:

Russell Silverstein, Representative.

Canadian Civil Liberties Association:

Michael Rosenberg, Legal Counsel.

Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police:

Warren Lemcke, Deputy Chief Constable, Vancouver Police Department (by video conference).

The chair made an opening statement.

Mr. Piragoff and Ms. Audcent answered questions.

At 2:45 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 2:50 p.m., the committee resumed.

Ms. Bernier made a statement and, together with Ms. Kosseim, answered questions.

At 3:22 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 3:27 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Silverstein and Mr. Rosenberg each made a statement and answered questions.

At 4:13 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 4:21 p.m., the committee resumed.

Deputy Chief Constable Lemcke made a statement and answered questions.

At 4:59 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Shaila Anwar

Clerk of the Committee