Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs
Issue No. 12 - Minutes of Proceedings - September 28, 2016
CALGARY, Wednesday, September 28, 2016
(31)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 1:47 p.m., in the Kensington Room, Calgary Marriott, the chair, the Honourable Bob Runciman, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Baker, P.C., Batters, Dagenais, Jaffer, McIntyre and Runciman (6).
In attendance: Maxime Charron-Tousignant, Analyst, Parliament Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament and Aaron Bell, Communications Officer, Senate Communications Directorate.
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, January 28, 2016, the committee continued its study on matters pertaining to delays in Canada's criminal justice system. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceeding of the committee, Issue No. 1.)
WITNESSES:
As individuals:
The Honourable Neil Wittmann, Chief Justice, Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta;
The Honourable Terrence Matchett, Chief Judge, Provincial Court of Alberta.
Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre:
Sheldon Kennedy, Lead Director.
Calgary Police Service:
Roger Chaffin, Chief Constable.
Alberta Crown Attorneys Association:
Damian Rogers, Treasurer.
Legal Aid Alberta:
Suzanne Poilkosnik, President and CEO.
Calgary Youth Justice Society:
Denise Blair, Executive Director.
Criminal Trial Lawyers Association:
Graham Johnson, Partner, Dawson, Duckett, Shaigec & Garcia.
Calgary Legal Guidance:
Margaret Keelaghan, Senior Managing Counsel.
Criminal Defence Lawyers Association of Alberta:
Ian Savage, President.
The chair made a statement.
Chief Justice Wittman and Chief Judge Matchett each made a statement and, together, answered questions.
At 2:48 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 2:55 p.m., the committee resumed and the deputy chair, the Honourable Senator Baker, P.C., took the chair.
Mr. Rogers, Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Chaffin each made a statement and, together, answered questions.
At 3:04 p.m., the Honourable Senator Runciman took the chair.
At 3:55 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 4:04 p.m., the committee resumed.
Ms. Poilkosnik, Ms. Blair, Mr. Savage, Mr. Johnson and Ms. Keelaghan each made a statement and, together, answered questions.
At 5:03 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Jessica Richardson
Clerk of the Committee