Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs

Issue 28, Minutes of Proceedings - April 1, 2015

OTTAWA, Wednesday, April 1, 2015
(66)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 4:45 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, Hervieux-Payette, P.C., Jaffer, Joyal, P.C., McInnis, McIntyre, Plett, Runciman and White (13).

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:

Canadian Parents of Murdered Children and Survivors of Homicide Victims:

Yvonne Lindfield, Co-founder, Manager, Education and Community Outreach.

As individuals:

Mona Lee;

Dale Sutherland.

Victimes d'agressions sexuelles au masculin (VASAM):

Alain Fortier, President;

Frank Tremblay, Vice-President.

Association of Families of Persons Assassinated or Disappeared:

Nancy Roy, General Manager.

Canadian Council of Criminal Defence Lawyers:

Nana Yanful, Representative.

Walk With Me Canada:

Robert Hooper, Chairperson, Board of Directors.

Canadian Bar Association:

Gaylene Schellenberg, Lawyer, Legislation and Law Reform;

Kathryn Pentz, NS Branch Section Chair, National Criminal Justice Section.

The chair made a statement.

Mrs. Lindfield, Mr. Sutherland, Mrs. Lee, Mr. Fortier and Mr. Tremblay each made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:47 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:56 p.m., the committee resumed.

Ms. Roy, Ms. Schellenberg, Ms. Pentz, Ms. Yanful and Mr. Hooper each made a statement and answered questions.

At 6:48 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Shaila Anwar

Clerk of the Committee