THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Wednesday, October 1, 2025
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[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 4:16 p.m., in room B30, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable David M. Arnot, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Arnot, Batters, Clement, Dhillon, Miville-Dechêne, Oudar, Pate, Saint-Germain, Simons, Tannas and Wells (Alberta) (11).

Participating in the meeting: Michaela Keenan-Pelletier, Analyst, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, June 12, 2025, the committee began its consideration of Bill S-209, An Act to restrict young persons’ online access to pornographic material.

WITNESSES:

The Honourable Senator Julie Miville-Dechêne, sponsor of the bill.

Canadian Heritage:

Amy Awad, Director General, Digital and Creative Marketplace Frameworks Branch, Cultural Affairs Sector;

Charlene Budnisky, Senior Director, Communication, Legislative and Regulatory Policy.

The Honourable Senator Miville-Dechêne made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:26 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:28 p.m., the committee resumed.

Amy Awad made a statement and answered questions.

At 6:17 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Vincent Labrosse

Clerk of the Committee