Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs

Issue No. 22 - Minutes of Proceedings - February 15, 2017

OTTAWA, Wednesday, February 15, 2017
(53)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 4:17 p.m., in room 257, East Block, the deputy chair, the Honourable George Baker, P.C., presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Baker, P.C., Batters, Boisvenu, Boniface, Carignan, P.C., Dagenais, Dean, Dupuis, Joyal, P.C., McIntyre, Pate, Pratte, Sinclair and White (14).

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

In attendance: Maxime Charron-Tousignant, Analyst, 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, December 14, 2016, the committee began its consideration of Bill S-231, An Act to amend the Canada Evidence Act and the Criminal Code (protection of journalistic sources).

WITNESSES:

The Honourable Senator Claude Carignan, P.C., sponsor of the bill.

Le Devoir:

Brian Myles, Editor.

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation:

Michel Cormier, General Manager, News and Current Affairs, French Services;

Jennifer McGuire, General Manager and Editor in Chief, CBC News.

The Globe and Mail:

David Walmsley, Editor in Chief.

The Canadian Media Coalition:

Éric Trottier, Associate Editor and Vice-President, Information, La Presse, Ltd.;

Michael Cooke, Editor, Torstar Newspaper Ltd.;

Sébastien Pierre-Roy, Lawyer, Chenette, Litigation Boutique Inc..

The deputy chair made a statement.

The Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C., made a statement and answered questions.

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

At 5:24 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Trottier, Mr. Cormier, Ms. McGuire, Mr. Cooke, Mr. Walmsley and Mr. Myles each made a statement and, together with Mr. Pierre-Roy, answered questions.

At 6:38 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Jessica Richardson

Clerk of the Committee