Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs

Issue No. 8 -  Minutes of Proceedings - May 4, 2016

OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 4, 2016
(16)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 2:02 p.m., in room 160-S, Centre Block, the chair, the Honourable Bob Runciman, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Baker, P.C., Batters, Boisvenu, Cowan, Eaton, Jaffer, Joyal, P.C., McIntyre, Plett, Runciman and White (11).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Cools, Downe, Duffy, Lankin, P.C., Ogilvie and Sinclair (6).

In attendance: Julian Walker, Maxime Charron-Tousignant and Julia Nicol, 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 Wednesday, April 20, 2016, the committee began its examination of the subject matter of Bill C-14, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to make related amendments to other Acts (medical assistance in dying).

APPEARING:

The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, P.C., M.P., Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada;

The Honourable Jane Philpott, P.C., M.P., Minister of Health Canada.

WITNESSES:

Department of Justice Canada:

William Pentney, Deputy Minister of Justice and Deputy Attorney General of Canada;

Donald Piragoff, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy Sector;

Laurie Wright, Assistant Deputy Minister, Public Law and Legislative Services Sector;

Joanne Klineberg, Senior Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section;

Jeanette Ettel, Senior Counsel, Human Rights Law Section, Public Law and Legislative Service Sector.

Health Canada:

Simon Kennedy, Deputy Minister;

Abby Hoffman, Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy Branch;

Sharon Harper, Manager, Continuing Care Unit, Strategic Policy Branch.

The chair made a statement.

The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, P.C., M.P., Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, made a statement and, together with Mr. Pentney, answered questions.

At 3:04 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 3:07 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Pentney, Mr. Piragoff, Ms. Wright, Ms. Klineberg and Ms. Ettel answered questions.

At 3:37 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 3:39 p.m., the committee resumed.

The Honourable Jane Philpott, P.C., M.P., Minister of Health Canada made a statement and, together with Mr. Kennedy, answered questions.

At 4:31 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 4:34 p.m., the committee resumed.

The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, P.C., M.P., Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, continued answering questions together with Mr. Pentney.

At 5:06 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:15 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Pentney, Mr. Piragoff, Ms. Klineberg, Mr. Kennedy, Ms. Hoffman and Ms. Harper answered questions.

At 6:10 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Jessica Richardson

Clerk of the Committee