Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs

Issue 28, Minutes of Proceedings - March 26, 2015

OTTAWA, Thursday, March 26, 2015
(65)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 10:30 a.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., McInnis, McIntyre, Mockler, Plett, Runciman and White (12).

In attendance: Julian Walker and Lyne Casavant, 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 continued its examination of Bill C-32, An Act to enact the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights and to amend certain Acts.

WITNESSES:

Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime:

Sue O'Sullivan, Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime.

Victims of Violence - Canadian Centre for Missing Children:

Sharon Rosenfeldt, President.

London Abused Women's Centre:

Megan Walker, Executive Director.

Criminal Lawyers' Association:

Michael Spratt, Member and Criminal Defence Counsel.

John Howard Society of Canada:

Catherine Latimer, Executive Director.

The chair made a statement.

Ms. O'Sullivan and Ms. Rosenfeldt each made a statement and answered questions.

At 11:29 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 11:47 a.m., the committee resumed.

Ms. Walker, Mr. Spratt and Ms. Latimer each made a statement and answered questions.

At 12:47 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Shaila Anwar

Clerk of the Committee