Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs

Issue 7 - Minutes of Proceedings - April 9, 2014

OTTAWA, Wednesday, April 9, 2014
(18)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met at 2:04 p.m. this day, 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, Cowan, Dagenais, Frum, Joyal, P.C., McIntyre, Moore, Plett, Rivest and Runciman (12).

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

In attendance: Robin MacKay and Sebastian Spano, analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Monday, April 7, 2014, the committee continued its study of the subject matter of Bill C-23, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act and other Acts and to make consequential amendments to certain Acts.

WITNESSES:

CIVIX:

Taylor Gunn, President.

As individuals:

Pauline Beange, Lecturer, University of Toronto;

Paul Howe, Professor and Chair, Department of Political Science, University of New Brunswick (by video conference);

Paul Thomas, Professor Emeritus, University of Manitoba;

Nelson Wiseman, Associate Professor, Department of Political Studies, University of Toronto.

The chair made an opening statement.

Mr. Gunn made a statement and answered questions.

At 2:47 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 2:52 p.m., the committee resumed.

Ms. Beange and Mr. Howe each made a statement and answered questions.

At 3:57 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 4:04 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Thomas and Mr. Wiseman each made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:18 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Shaila Anwar

Clerk of the Committee