Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs

Issue 37 - Minutes of Proceedings - May 22, 2013

OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 22, 2013
(87)

[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 Bob Runciman, presiding.

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

In attendance: Lyne Casavant and Julia Nicol, 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 Wednesday, February 6, 2013, the committee continued its consideration of Bill C-299, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (kidnapping of young person). (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 34.)

WITNESSES:

As an individual:

The Honourable John Charles Major, Former Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada (by video conference).

Criminal Lawyers' Association:

Michael Spratt, Representative.

Canadian Council of Criminal Defence Lawyers:

Indira Stewart, Representative.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police:

Assistant Commissioner Antoine Babinsky, Technical Operations;

Inspector Carole Bird, Officer in Charge, Missing Persons & Unidentified Remains.

Canadian Centre for Child Protection:

Lianna McDonald, Executive Director (by video conference);

Monique St. Germain, General Counsel (by video conference).

The chair made an opening statement.

Mr. Spratt and Ms. Stewart each made a statement and, together with Justice Major, answered questions.

At 5:17 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:27 p.m., the committee resumed.

Assistant Commissioner Babinsky and Ms. McDonald each made a statement and, together with Inspector Bird, answered questions.

At 6:11 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Shaila Anwar

Clerk of the Committee