Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs

Issue 34 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 8, 2002
(56)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met at 4:12 p.m. this day, in room 257-East Block, the Honourable Senator Milne, Chair, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Beaudoin, Fraser, Hubley, Joyal, P.C., Maheu, Milne, Moore, Nolin, Rivest and Robichaud P.C. (11).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Gauthier and Taylor (2).

In attendance: From the Library of Parliament: Nancy Holmes and Mollie Dunsmuir, Researchers, Law and Government Division.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, May 7, 2002, the Committee proceeded to study the motion of the Honourable Senator Carstairs, P.C., that the Senate do not insist on its amendment numbered 1(a) to Bill C-15A, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to amend other Acts, to which the House of Commons has disagreed, and that a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that House accordingly.

WITNESSES:

From the Department of Justice:

Ms Lucie Angers, Counsel, Criminal Policy Section;

Ms Carole Morency, Senior Counsel, Family, Children and Youth.

Ms Angers made an opening statement. Together the witnesses answered questions.

After debate, the Honourable Senator Fraser moved, — That the Senate do not insist on its amendment numbered 1(a) to Bil C-15A, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to amend other Acts.

The question being put on the motion, — It was agreed.

Recorded abstentions: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Beaudoin, Nolin and Rivest.

After debate, it was agreed, — That the Steering Committee draft and approve observations to be appended to the Report.

It was agreed, — That the Chair present the Report of the committee at the next sitting of the Senate.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, March 20, 2002, the Committee proceeded to study Bill S-41, An Act to re-enact legislative instruments enacted in only one official language. (For complete text of Order of Reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 32, April 24, 2002.)

WITNESSES:

From the Department of Justice:

Mr. Warren J. Newman, General Counsel, Constitutional and Administrative Law Section;

Mr. Marc Tremblay, Senior Counsel, Official Languages Law Group;

Mr. John Mark Keyes, Director, Legislative Policy and Development.

Mr. Tremblay made a short opening statement. Together the witnesses answered questions.

At 7:00 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Josée Thérien

Clerk of the Committee