Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs

Issue 19, Minutes of Proceedings - October 29, 2014

OTTAWA, Wednesday, October 29, 2014
(45)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met at 4:15 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, Dagenais, Jaffer, Joyal, P.C., Lang, McInnis, McIntyre, Patterson, Plett, Rivest and Runciman (12).

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 Tuesday, October 21, 2014, the committee began its study 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 amendment to other Acts.

WITNESSES:

As individuals:

Edward Herold, Professor Emeritus, University of Guelph;

Bernard Lerhe.

Government of Manitoba:

The Honourable Andrew Swan, M.L.A., Minister of Justice and Attorney General (by video conference).

Canadian Women's Foundation:

Barbara Gosse, Senior Director, Research, Policy and Innovation (by video conference).

The chair made an opening statement.

Mr. Herold, Ms. Gosse and Mr. Lerhe each made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:20 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:26 p.m., the committee resumed.

Ms. Gosse and Minister Swan each made an opening statement and answered questions.

At 6:21 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Shaila Anwar

Clerk of the Committee