Proceeding of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights
Issue No. 28 - Evidence - Meeting of May 2, 2018
OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 2, 2018
The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 11:48 a.m. to give clause-by-clause consideration to Bill C-66, An Act to establish a procedure for expunging certain historically unjust convictions and to make related amendments to other Acts; and in camera, for the consideration of a draft report on issues relating to human rights and, inter alia, to review the machinery of government dealing with Canada’s international and national human rights obligations (Topic: Export and Imports Permits Act).
Senator Wanda Elaine Thomas Bernard (Chair) in the chair.
[English]
The Chair: Good morning, senators. Before we begin, given the sudden passing of Member of Parliament Gordon Brown, I would ask that we hold a moment of silence.
[Minute of Silence.]
The Chair: Thank you, colleagues.
I would ask the senators to introduce themselves. We’ll begin right with the deputy chair.
Senator Ataullahjan: Senator Ataullahjan, Ontario.
Senator Andreychuk: Raynell Andreychuk, Saskatchewan.
[Translation]
Senator Cormier: René Cormier from New Brunswick.
[English]
Senator Ngo: Thanh Hai Ngo, Ontario.
Senator Martin: Yonah Martin, British Columbia.
Senator Cordy: Jane Cordy, Nova Scotia.
Senator Pate: Kim Pate, Ontario.
Senator Hartling: Nancy J. Hartling, New Brunswick.
The Chair: I am Senator Wanda Elaine Thomas Bernard, chair of the committee, from Nova Scotia.
For our time today, we will proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-66, An Act to establish a procedure for expunging certain historically unjust convictions and to make related amendments to other Acts.
Before we begin, I would like to remind senators of a number of points. If at any point a senator is not clear on where we are in the process, please ask for clarification. We must do our utmost to ensure that at all times we have the same understanding of where we are in the process.
Before we take up an amendment in a clause, I will be verifying whether any senators had intended to move an amendment earlier in that clause. If senators do intend to move an earlier amendment, they will be given a chance to do so.
One small point: If a senator is opposed to an entire clause, I would remind you that, in committee, the proper process is not to move a motion to delete the entire clause but rather to vote against the clause standing as part of the bill.
I wish to remind senators that if there is ever any uncertainty as to the results of a voice vote or show of hands, the cleanest route is to request a roll call vote, which provides clear results.
Senators are aware that any tied vote negates the motion in question.
Finally, I would like to highlight the presence of government officials from Public Safety Canada and Justice Canada in the room. If senators have any questions for the government officials, they can be called to the table.
Are there any questions on any of these points? If not, I believe we can proceed.
Is it agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-66, An Act to establish a procedure for expunging certain historically unjust convictions and to make related amendments to other Acts?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Agreed.
Shall the title stand postponed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Agreed.
Shall the preamble stand postponed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Agreed.
Shall clause 1, which contains the short title, stand postponed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Agreed.
Is it agreed that the clauses be grouped according to the parts described in the table of provisions of the bill?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Agreed.
Shall clause 2 carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Carried.
Shall clauses 3 and 4 carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Carried.
Shall clauses 5 and 6 carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Carried.
Shall clauses 7 to 12 carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Carried.
Shall clauses 13 to 15 carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Carried.
Shall clauses 16 to 21 carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Carried.
Shall clause 22 carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Carried.
Shall clause 23 carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Shall clause 24 carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Carried.
Shall clauses 25 and 26 carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Carried.
Shall clauses 27 to 30 carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Carried.
Shall the schedule carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Carried.
Shall clause 1, which contains the short title, carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Carried.
Shall the preamble carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Carried.
Shall the title carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Carried.
Shall the bill carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Does the committee wish to consider appending observations to the report?
Hon. Senators: Yes.
The Chair: Rule 12-16(1)(d) allows us to go in camera to discuss a draft report. Does the committee wish to discuss observations in public or in camera?
Hon. Senators: In camera.
(The committee continued in camera.)