THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Thursday, November 27, 2025
(17)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 10:34 a.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, Dhillon, Miville-Dechêne, Oudar, Pate, Prosper, Saint-Germain, Simons, Tannas and Wells (Alberta) (10).

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:

Union of Canadian Correctional Officers:

Frédérick Lebeau, National President;

Jeff Wilkins, National Vice President.

John Howard Society of Canada:

Catherine Latimer, Executive Director.

Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies:

Emilie Coyle, Co-Executive Director (by videoconference).

Philippe-Pinel National Institute of Forensic Psychiatry:

Dr. Mathieu Dufour, Forensic Psychiatrist, Head of the Department of Psychiatry (by videoconference).

Mothers Offering Mutual Support:

Farhat Rehman, Co-Founder.

Canadian Psychiatric Association:

Dr. Gary A. Chaimowitz, Board Member and Head of Service, Forensic Psychiatry, St. Joseph’s Healthcare (by videoconference).

Frédérick Lebeau, Catherine Latimer and Emilie Coyle each made a statement and, together with Jeff Wilkins, answered questions.

At 11:32 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 11:39 a.m., the committee resumed.

Farhat Rehman, Mathieu Dufour and Gary A. Chaimowitz each made a statement and answered questions.

At 12:25 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Vincent Labrosse

Clerk of the Committee