Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs

Issue 28, Minutes of Proceedings - March 25, 2015

OTTAWA, Wednesday, March 25, 2015
(64)

[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, Fraser, Hervieux- Payette, P.C., Joyal, P.C., Manning, McInnis, McIntyre, Plett, Runciman and Smith (Saurel) (12).

In attendance: Julian Walker and Dominique Valiquet, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, March 24, 2015, the committee began its examination of Bill C-32, An Act to enact the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights and to amend certain Acts.

APPEARING:

The Honourable Peter MacKay, P.C., M.P., Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada;

The Honourable Steven Blaney, P.C., MP, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.

WITNESSES:

Correctional Service Canada:

Don Head, Commissioner.

Parole Board of Canada:

Richard Clair, Executive Director General.

Department of Justice Canada:

Carole Morency, Director General and Senior General Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section;

Pamela Arnott, Director and Senior Counsel, Policy Centre for Victim Issues.

Public Safety Canada:

Kathy Thompson, Assistant Deputy Minister, Community Safety & Countering Crime Branch;

Angela Connidis, Director General, Corrections.

The chair made a statement.

The ministers each made statements and answered questions.

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

At 5:25 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Clair, Mr. Head, Ms. Morency, Ms. Arnott and Ms. Thompson answered questions.

At 6:17 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Shaila Anwar

Clerk of the Committee