Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs

Issue 15 - Minutes of Proceedings - September 11, 2014

OTTAWA, Thursday, September 11, 2014
(38)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met at 9:34 a.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, Dagenais, Frum, Jaffer, Joyal, P.C., McInnis, McIntyre, Plett and Runciman (11).

In attendance: Robin MacKay and Julian Walker, 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 Thursday, June 19, 2014, the committee continued its study on the subject-matter of Bill C-36, An Act to amend the Criminal Code in response to the Supreme Court of Canada decision in Attorney General of Canada v. Bedford and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.

WITNESSES:

Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter:

Keira Smith-Tague, Front Line Anti-Violence Worker.

Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres:

Lisa Steacy, Representative;

Michèle Léveillé, Member, Gatineau.

As individuals:

Chris Bruckert, Professor, Department of Criminology, University of Ottawa;

Maxime Durocher, escort for women;

Tyler Megarry, street worker, Sex Workers Program, RÉZO;

Chris Atchison, Research Associate, Department of Sociology, University of Victoria.

Maggie's — Toronto Sex Workers' Action Project:

Nicole Matte, Vice-Chair, Board of Directors;

Jean McDonald, Executive Director.

Stella, l'Amie de Maimie:

Anna-Aude Caouette, Spokesperson.

Coalition of Body Rub Parlours of the Greater Toronto Area:

Konstadia Spooner, Representative.

The chair made an opening statement.

Ms. Smith-Tague, Ms. Steacy, Ms. Léveillé and Ms. Bruckert each made a statement and answered questions.

At 10:59 a.m., the committee suspended.

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

Ms. Matte, Ms. McDonald and Ms. Caouette each made a statement and answered questions.

At 12:35 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 1:31 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Durocher, Mr. Megarry, Mr. Atchison and Ms. Spooner each made a statement and answered questions.

At 2:58 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Shaila Anwar

Clerk of the Committee