Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs

Issue No. 19 - Minutes of Proceedings - December 7, 2016

OTTAWA, Wednesday, December 7, 2016
(47)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 4:15 p.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, Dagenais, Joyal, P.C., McIntyre, Plett, Runciman, Sinclair and White (9).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Dyck, Lovelace Nicholas and Pate (3).

In attendance: Julian Walker and Maxime Charron-Tousignant, 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, October 19, 2016, the committee began its study of Bill S-215, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (sentencing for violent offences against Aboriginal women).

WITNESSES:

The Honourable Senator Lillian Eva Dyck, sponsor of the bill.

Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations:

Heather Bear, Fourth Vice Chief.

Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC):

Francyne Joe, President;

Marilee Nowgesic, Special Advisor and Liaison.

Edelson Clifford D'Angelo Friedman LLP:

Solomon Friedman, Criminal Defence Lawyer and Partner.

Adler Bytensky Prutschi Shikhman LLP:

Edward Prutschi, Partner.

Canadian Council of Criminal Defence Lawyers:

William Trudell, Chair.

The chair made a statement.

The Honourable Senator Dyck, Ms. Bear and Ms. Joe each made a statement and, together with Ms. Nowgesic, answered questions.

At 5:13 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:19 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Friedman, Mr. Prutschi and Mr. Trudell each made a statement and, together, answered questions.

At 6:16 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Jessica Richardson

Clerk of the Committee