THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Thursday, December 12, 2024
(132)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 11:37 a.m., in room B30, Senate of Canada Building, the deputy chair, the Honourable Denise Batters, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Arnot, Audette, Batters, Carignan, P.C., Clement, Cotter, Moreau, Oudar, Pate, Prosper, Simons and Tannas (12).

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 Thursday, May 30, 2024, the committee continued its consideration of Bill C-320, An Act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (disclosure of information to victims).

WITNESSES:

Victim Services of Durham Region:

Krista MacNeil, Executive Director.

Association québécoise Plaidoyer-Victimes:

Karine Mac Donald, Criminologist, Chief Executive Officer.

Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime:

Sarah Crawford, Executive Director.

Karine Mac Donald, Krista MacNeil and Sarah Crawford each made a statement and answered questions.

At 12:47 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 12:48 p.m., the Honourable Senator Cotter resumed the chair.

At 12:53 p.m., the committee resumed.

The Honourable Senator Prosper moved that the Honourable Senator Pate be the chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, effective December 18, 2024.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

It was agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-320.

It was agreed that the title stand postponed.

It was agreed that clause 1 carry.

It was agreed that clause 2 carry.

It was agreed that clause 3 carry.

It was agreed that the title carry.

It was agreed that the bill carry.

The committee discussed observations.

After debate, it was agreed that observations be appended to the committee's report on the bill.

It was agreed that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to adopt the final version of the observations being appended to the report, in both official languages, taking into consideration this meeting’s discussions, and with any necessary editorial, grammatical or translation changes as required.

It was agreed that the chair report Bill C-320, without amendment and with observations, to the Senate, in both official languages.

At 1:53 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Vincent Labrosse

Clerk of the Committee