THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Wednesday, September 20, 2023
(67)

[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 Senator Brent Cotter, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Batters, Boisvenu, Clement, Cotter, Dalphond, Dupuis, Jaffer, Klyne, Pate, Simons and Tannas (11).

Participating in the meeting: Aoife Mc Donald, Administrative Assistant, Committees Directorate; Michaela Keenan-Pelletier, Analyst, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, November 3, 2022, the committee continued its consideration of Bill S-212, An Act to amend the Criminal Records Act, to make consequential amendments to other Acts and to repeal a regulation.

WITNESSES:

7th Step Society of Canada:

George Joseph Myette, National Executive Director.

St. Leonard's Society of Canada:

Anita Desai, Executive Director.

Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies:

Emilie Coyle, Executive Director;

Nyki Kish, Associate Executive Director.

Aboriginal Legal Services:

Christa Big Canoe, Legal Director (by videoconference).

As an individual:

Rick Sauvé, Peer Mentor, St. Leonard's Society of Canada.

George Joseph Myette, Anita Desai and Rick Sauvé each made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:21 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:26 p.m., the committee resumed.

Emilie Coyle, Nyki Kish and Christa Big Canoe each made a statement and answered questions.

At 6:31 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Vincent Labrosse

Clerk of the Committee