THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Wednesday, November 26, 2025
(16)

[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 deputy chair, the Honourable Denise Batters, presiding.

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

Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Duncan (1).

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 Tuesday, October 21, 2025, the committee continued its consideration of Bill S-205, An Act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act.

WITNESSES:

Canadian Civil Liberties Association:

Howard Sapers, Executive Director (by videoconference).

As individuals:

Michael Spratt, Criminal Defence Lawyer, AGP LLP;

Margo Watt, Professor and Licensed Clinical Psychologist;

Sheila Wildeman, Professor, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University.

Howard Sapers, Michael Spratt, Margo Watt and Sheila Wildeman each made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:34 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:36 p.m., the committee resumed.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, November 6, 2025, the committee continued its consideration of the report on the Statutes Repeal Act for the year 2025.

The committee considered a draft report.

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

It was agreed that the deputy chair be authorized to table the report in the Senate, in both official languages.

At 6:20 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Vincent Labrosse

Clerk of the Committee