THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL AFFAIRS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Wednesday, October 9, 2024
(117)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 4:15 p.m., in room B45, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Ratna Omidvar, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Bernard, Burey, Cordy, Cormier, Dasko, Manning, Mégie, Moodie, Omidvar, Osler, Petitclerc and Seidman (12).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Senior and Youance (2).
Participating in the meeting: Laura Blackmore and Mayra Perez-Leclerc, analysts, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, June 1, 2023, the committee continued its study of Bill S-249, An Act respecting the development of a national strategy for the prevention of intimate partner violence.
WITNESSES:
Women and Gender Equality Canada:
Crystal Garrett-Baird, Director General, Gender-Based Violence (by videoconference).
Department of Justice Canada:
Stéphanie Bouchard, Senior Counsel and Director, Criminal Law Policy Section;
Nathalie Levman, Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section (by videoconference).
It was agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill S-249.
It was agreed that the title stand postponed.
It was agreed that clause 1, which contains the short title, stand postponed.
The chair asked whether clause 2 shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Manning moved that Bill S-249 be amended in clause 2, on page 1,
(a) by deleting lines 10 to 12;
(b) by deleting lines 15 to 20.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was adopted.
It was agreed that clause 2, as amended, carry.
The chair asked whether clause 3 shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Manning moved that Bill S-249 be amended in clause 3, on page 2,
(a) by replacing lines 1 to 9 with the following:
“3 (1) The Minister must continue to lead national action to prevent and address intimate partner violence.
“(2) In leading national action to prevent and address intimate partner violence, the Minister must engage with other federal and with provincial ministers responsible for the status of women, on an annual basis, and with Indigenous partners, victims and survivors and stakeholders, on a regular basis, with respect to”;
(b) by replacing lines 14 and 15 with the following:
“(b) partnerships in the preven-”;
(c) by replacing lines 18 to 30 with the following:
“(c) the financial and other costs of action to prevent and address intimate partner violence; and
(d) any constitutional, legal or jurisdictional implications of action to prevent and address intimate partner violence.
(3) The engagements referred to in subsection (2) must ”.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was adopted.
It was agreed that clause 3, as amended, carry.
After debate, at 4:26 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 4:32 p.m., the committee resumed.
Stéphanie Bouchard was invited to table, and together with Crystal Garrett-Baird and Nathalie Levman, answered questions.
After debate, it was agreed that clause-by-clause consideration of Bill S-249 be postponed to a future date.
At 4:57 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 4:59 p.m., the committee resumed.
At 4:59 p.m., pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, May 9, 2024, the committee began its study of Bill S-276, An Act respecting Ukrainian Heritage Month.
WITNESS:
The Honourable Senator Donna Dasko.
The Honourable Senator Dasko made a statement and answered questions.
It was agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill S-276.
It was agreed that the title stand postponed.
It was agreed that the preamble stand postponed.
It was agreed that clause 1, which contains the short title, stand postponed.
It was agreed that clause 2 carry.
It was agreed that clause 1, which contains the short title, carry.
It was agreed that the preamble carry.
It was agreed that the title carry.
It was agreed that the bill carry.
It was agreed that the chair report Bill S-276, without amendment, to the Senate in both official languages.
At 5:42 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Emily Barrette
Clerk of the Committee