Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs

Issue No. 1 -  Minutes of Proceedings - February 4, 2016

OTTAWA, Thursday, February 4, 2016
(3)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 10:29 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, Dagenais, Fraser, Jaffer, Joyal, P.C., McIntyre, Runciman and White (10).

Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Plett (1).

In attendance: Julian Walker and Maxime Charron-Tousignant, 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 January 28, 2016, the committee continued its study on matters pertaining to delays in Canada's criminal justice system.

WITNESSES:

Statistics Canada:

Yvan Clermont, Director, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics;

Josée Savoie, Chief, Courts Program, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics.

Department of Justice Canada:

Donald Piragoff, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy Sector;

Stephen Zaluski, General Counsel and Director, Judicial Affairs, Courts and Tribunal Policy;

Anny Bernier, Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section;

Elizabeth Hendy, Director General, Programs Branch.

Mr. Clermont and Mr. Piragoff each made a statement and, together with Ms. Savoie, Mr. Zaluski Ms. Bernier and Ms. Hendy, answered questions.

At 12:25 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Jessica Richardson

Clerk of the committee