Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs
Issue No. 28 - Minutes of Proceedings - May 4, 2017
OTTAWA, Thursday, May 4, 2017
(66)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 10:33 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, Boniface, Dagenais, Dupuis, Frum, Jaffer, Joyal, P.C., Omidvar, Pate, Plett, Runciman and Sinclair (14).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Mitchell (1).
In attendance: Julian Walker and Maxime Charron-Tousignant, Analysts, Parliament 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 Thursday, March 2, 2017, the committee began its consideration of Bill C-16, An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code.
APPEARING:
The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, P.C., M.P., Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.
WITNESSES:
Department of Justice:
William Pentney, Deputy Minister of Justice and Deputy Attorney General of Canada;
Laurie Wright, Assistant Deputy Minister, Public Law and Legislative Services Sector.
As individuals:
Brenda Cossman, Director, Bonham Centre for Sexual Diversity Studies and Professor of Law, University of Toronto;
Kimberley Manning, Principal, Simone de Beauvoir Institute and Associate Professor, Political Science, Concordia University;
Melissa Potvin (Schaettgen), Parent Advocate and Community Leader.
The chair made a statement.
The Minister made a statement and, together with Mr. Pentney and Ms. Wright, answered questions.
At 11:32 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 11:37 a.m., the committee resumed.
Ms. Manning, Ms. Potvin and Ms. Cossman each made a statement and, together, answered questions.
At 12:30 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Jessica Richardson
Clerk of the Committee