Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs

Issue 32, Minutes of Proceedings - May 28, 2015

OTTAWA, Thursday, May 28, 2015
(75)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 10:30 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, Doyle, Jaffer, Joyal, P.C., McInnis, McIntyre, Plett and Runciman (11).

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

In attendance: Julian Walker and Dominique Valiquet, 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 Tuesday, May 12, 2015, the committee continued its examination of Bill C-26, An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Canada Evidence Act and the Sex Offender Information Registration Act, to enact the High Risk Child Sex Offender Database Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.

WITNESSES:

As an individual:

Greg Gilhooly.

John Howard Society of Canada:

Catherine Latimer, Executive Director.

Canadian Centre for Child Protection:

Monique St. Germain, General Counsel (by video conference).

Victimes d'agressions sexuelles au masculin (VASAM):

Alain Fortier, President;

Frank Tremblay, Vice-president.

Criminal Lawyers' Association:

Michael Spratt, Member and Criminal Defence Counsel.

Canadian Bar Association:

Paul J. Calarco, Criminal Justice Section Member;

Gaylene Schellenberg, Lawyer, Legislation and Law Reform.

Kids Internet Safety Alliance:

David Butt, Legal Counsel.

The chair made an opening statement.

Ms. St. Germain, Mr. Gilhooly, Ms. Latimer, Mr. Fortier and Mr. Tremblay each made a statement and answered questions.

At 11:28 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 11:46 a.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Spratt, Mr. Butt, Ms. Schellenberg and Mr. Calarco each made a statement and answered questions.

At 12:46 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Shaila Anwar

Clerk of the Committee