THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Thursday, October 2, 2025
(5)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 10:30 a.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, Prosper, Saint-Germain, Simons, Tannas and Wells (Alberta) (12).

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 continued its consideration of Bill S-209, An Act to restrict young persons’ online access to pornographic material.

WITNESSES:

Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada:

Philippe Dufresne, Privacy Commissioner of Canada;

Lara Ives, Executive Director, Policy, Research and Parliamentary Affairs.

Canadian Bar Association:

Christiane Saad, Chair, Executive of the Privacy and Access Section.

Canadian Council of Criminal Defence Lawyers:

Brian Hurley, Criminal Defence Lawyer and Director (by videoconference).

Philippe Dufresne made a statement and answered questions.

At 11:36 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 11:40 a.m., the committee resumed.

Christiane Saad and Brian Hurley each made a statement and answered questions.

At 12:34 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Vincent Labrosse

Clerk of the Committee