THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Wednesday, October 29, 2025
(10)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 4:15 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, 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 (by videoconference):

Australia e-Safety Commissioner:

Julie Inman Grant, Commissioner.

German Media Authorities:

Tobias Schmid, Director of the Media Authority of North Rhine-Westphalia and Commissioner for European Affairs of the German Media Authorities.

Julie Inman Grant and Tobias Schmid each made a statement and answered questions.

The Honourable Senator Tannas moved that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure seek advice from the Office of the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel regarding the testimony heard on October 29, 2025, and the committee’s authority to compel representatives of Pornhub and any other affiliated organizations to appear under oath before the committee on Bill S-209, and report back to the committee with a recommendation. 

After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted. 

At 5:45 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Vincent Labrosse

Clerk of the Committee