Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs

Issue No. 3 -  Minutes of Proceedings - February 25, 2016

OTTAWA, Thursday, February 25, 2016
(7)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 10:31 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, Joyal, P.C., McIntyre, Plett, Runciman and White (10).

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 Thursday, January 28, 2016, the committee continued its study on matters pertaining to delays in Canada's criminal justice system. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 1.)

WITNESSES:

Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police:

Joseph Oliver, Assistant Commissioner, Technical Operations, RCMP.

Legal Aid Ontario:

David Field, President and CEO;

Marcus Pratt, Acting Director General, Policy and Strategic Research.

Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission:

Karen Hudson, Executive Director.

Legal Aid BC:

Mark Benton, Chief Executive Officer.

The chair made a statement.

Mr. Oliver made a statement and answered questions.

At 11:27 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 11:36 a.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Field, Ms. Hudson and Mr. Brown each made a statement and, together with Mr. Pratt, answered questions.

At 12:32 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Mark Palmer

Acting Clerk of the Committee