THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 1, 2024
(98)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 4:17 p.m., in room B30, Senate of Canada Building, the deputy chair, the Honourable Denise Batters, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Batters, Carignan, P.C., Clement, Cotter, Dalphond, Dasko, Klyne, Plett, Prosper and Tannas (10).

Participating in the meeting: Iryna Zazulya and Michaela Keenan-Pelletier, analysts, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, the committee continued its consideration of Bill S-15, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act.

WITNESSES:

Zoo de Granby:

Paul Gosselin, President and Chief Executive Officer;

Patrick Paré, Director, Conservation and Research (by videoconference).

Wilder Institute Calgary Zoo:

Clément Lanthier, President and Chief Executive Officer;

Jamie Dorgan, Chief Operating Officer (by videoconference);

Dr. Doug Whiteside, Head Veterinarian and Senior Manager, Animal Health (by videoconference).

Toronto Zoo:

Dolf DeJong, Chief Executive Officer;

Gabriela Mastromonaco, Senior Director, Wildlife Science;

Nic Masters, Director, Wildlife Health (by videoconference);

Maria Franke, Director, Wildlife Conservation and Welfare Science (by videoconference);

Jennifer Tracey, Senior Director, Strategic Communications and Guest Experience (by videoconference).

As individuals:

Stéphane Beaulac, Professor of Constitutional Law, University of Montreal (by videoconference);

Jodi Lazare, Associate Professor, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University.

Stéphane Beaulac and Jodi Lazare each made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:25 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:29 p.m., the committee resumed.

Paul Gosselin, Clément Lanthier and Dolf DeJong each made a statement and, together with Gabriela Mastromonaco, answered questions.

At 6:28 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Vincent Labrosse

Clerk of the Committee