THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Wednesday, October 30, 2024
(121)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 4:15 p.m., in room B30, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Brent Cotter, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Arnot, Aucoin, Batters, Carignan, P.C., Clement, Cotter, Dalphond, Oudar, Pate, Prosper and Simons (11).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Fridhandler and Wells (Alberta) (2).

Participating in the meeting: Emilie Doyon, Analyst, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, October 10, 2024, the committee continued its consideration of Bill C-40, An Act to amend the Criminal Code, to make consequential amendments to other Acts and to repeal a regulation (miscarriage of justice reviews).

WITNESSES:

Innocence Canada:

James Lockyer, Director.

The Native Women’s Association of Canada:

Amy Sock, Board of Directors (by videoconference).

As individuals:

The Honourable Harry LaForme, Senior Counsel, Olthuis Kleer Townshend (by videoconference);

Kent Roach, Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Toronto (by videoconference);

Neil Wiberg, Defence Lawyer, Nicola Law Group;

Emma Cunliffe, Professor of Law, University of British Columbia (by videoconference);

Tamara Levy, Director, Innocence Project, University of British Columbia (by videoconference).

The Honourable Harry LaForme, Kent Roach, Neil Wiberg and Emma Cunliffe each made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:23 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:30 p.m., the committee resumed.

James Lockyer, Tamara Levy and Amy Sock each made a statement and answered questions.

At 6:34 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Vincent Labrosse

Clerk of the Committee