THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Wednesday, March 31, 2021
(15)

[English]

Pursuant to the order of the Senate of March 30, 2021, the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day by videoconference at 4:32 p.m. [ET], the chair, the Honourable Mobina S. B. Jaffer, presiding. This meeting is considered to have taken place in the parliamentary precinct.

Members of the committee present by videoconference: The Honourable Senators Batters, Boisvenu, Boniface, Campbell, Carignan, P.C., Dalphond, Dupuis, Gold, P.C., Jaffer, Keating, Mégie, Pate and Tannas (13).

Other senator present by videoconference: The Honourable Senator Boyer (1).

Participating in the meeting: Joëlle Nadeau, Procedural Clerk, Committees Directorate; Michaela Keenan-Pelletier and Julian Walker, 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 Thursday, February 11, 2021, the committee continued its consideration of Bill C-3, An Act to amend the Judges Act and the Criminal Code.

WITNESSES (by videoconference):

Canadian Association of Black Lawyers:

Raphael Tachie, President.

University of Windsor and Humane Canada:

Amy J. Fitzgerald, Professor of Criminology, Animal and Interpersonal Abuse Research Group;

Betty Barrett, Associate Professor of Women’s and Gender Studies and Social Work, Animal and Interpersonal Abuse Research Group.

Quebec Native Women Inc.:

Viviane Michel, President;

Léa Serier, Justice and Public Security Coordinator.

BC Society of Transition Houses:

Amy S. FitzGerald, Executive Director.

Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter:

Hilla Kerner, Collective Member;

Asahni Montgomery, Collective Member.

Fédération des maisons d'hébergement pour femmes:

Manon Monastesse, Director General;

Olga Houde, Coordinator, Political Analysis.

As individuals:

The Honourable Rona Ambrose, P.C.

Diane Tremblay.

The chair made a statement.

Mr. Tachie, Ms. Fitzgerald, Ms. Barrett, Ms. Michel, Ms. Serier and Ms. Tremblay each made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:43 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:56 p.m., the committee resumed.

The Honourable Rona Ambrose, P.C., Ms. FitzGerald, Ms. Kerner, Mr. Montgomery, Ms. Monastesse and Ms. Houde each made a statement and answered questions.

At 7:03 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Mark Palmer

Clerk of the Committee