THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Thursday, October 9, 2025
(7)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 10:35 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 and Dana Phillips, analysts, 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:

House of Lords:

Lord James Bethell (by videoconference).

Arcom:

Laurence Pécaut-Rivolier, Member, Arcom France (by videoconference).

Canadian Centre for Child Protection:

Monique St. Germain, General Counsel (by videoconference).

Internet Society:

Natalie Campbell, Senior Director, North American Government and Regulatory Affairs.

Canadian Civil Liberties Association:

Tamir Israel, Director, Privacy, Surveillance and Technologies Program (by videoconference).

National Council of Women of Canada:

Penelope Mary Rankin, President.

James Bethell and Laurence Pécaut-Rivolier each made a statement and answered questions.

At 11:47 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 11:50 a.m., the committee resumed.

Monique St. Germain, Natalie Campbell, Tamir Israel and Penelope Mary Rankin each made a statement and answered questions.

At 12:41 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Vincent Labrosse

Clerk of the Committee