Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs

Issue 21, Minutes of Proceedings - November 19, 2014

OTTAWA, Wednesday, November 19, 2014
(49)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met at 4:17 p.m. this day, 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, Frum, Jaffer, Joyal, P.C., McIntyre, Plett, and Runciman (10).

In attendance: Robin MacKay, analyst, 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, November 5, 2014, the committee continued its study of Bill C-13, An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Canada Evidence Act, the Competition Act and the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Act. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 20.)

WITNESSES:

Criminal Lawyers' Association:

Leo Russomanno, Member and Criminal Defence Counsel;

Michael Spratt, Member and Criminal Defence Counsel.

Canadian Centre for Child Protection:

Lianna McDonald, Executive Director;

Monique St. Germain, General Counsel.

As individuals:

Andrea Slane, Associate Professor, University of Ontario Institute of Technology;

Michael Geist, Law Professor, University of Ottawa.

The chair made an opening statement.

Mr. Spratt, Mr. Russomano and Ms. McDonald each made a statement and, together with Ms. St. Germain, answered questions.

At 5:15 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:21 p.m., the committee resumed.

Ms. Slane and Mr. Geist each made a statement and answered questions.

At 6:15 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Shaila Anwar

Clerk of the Committee