Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs

Issue 40 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Thursday, December 5, 1996
(53)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, met this day, in Room 256-S, Centre Block, at 10:33 a.m., the Chair, the Honourable Senator Sharon Carstairs, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Anderson, Beaudoin, Carstairs, Doyle, Gigantès, Jessiman, Lewis, Moore, Nolin and Pearson (10).

In attendance: Marilyn Pilon, Research Officer, Research Branch of the Library of Parliament.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

WITNESSES:

From the Department of Justice:

Mr. Yvan Roy, General Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section, Criminal and Social Policy Sector;

Mr. Howard Bebbington, Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section, Criminal and Social Policy Sector.

From the Department of the Solicitor General:

Ms Jennifer Trottier, Senior Policy Analyst, Corrections Policy.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, October 22, 1996, the Committee continued its consideration of Bill C-45, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (judicial review of parole ineligibility) and another Act. ( See Issue No. 32, Wednesday, October 30, 1996, for full text of Order of Reference.)

The Chair made an opening statement.

Mr. Yvan Roy made a statement.

Mr. Yvan Roy, Mr. Howard Bebbington and Ms Jennifer Trottier answered questions.

The Chair made a statement.

Senator Gigantès made a statement.

Senator Pearson made a statement.

It was moved by the Honourable Senator Milne -- THAT Bill C-45 be reported to the Senate without amendment.

The question being put on the motion, it was agreed, Senators Doyle and Nolin having abstained.

It was moved by the Honourable Senator Milne --

THAT the committee recommend that truth in sentencing should be a paramount consideration of the judicial system. The lack of knowledge and understanding of the Canadian people of the present section 745.6 and now the amendments is such that greater understanding must be achieved.

To that end, we urge the Minister of Justice to use whatever measures at his/her disposal to inform the public about this section, including discussions with provincial Attorneys General, so that together they may find the means by which victims' families could have full knowledge of section 745.6.

After debate, it was agreed.

It was agreed that the Steering Committee have the power to approve the final text of the recommendation.

At 12:05 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Heather Lank

Clerk of the Committee