THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Thursday, February 26, 2026
(28)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 10:33 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, Forest, Miville-Dechêne, Oudar, Pate, Prosper, Simons, Tannas and Wells (Alberta) (11).
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 (by videoconference):
Canadian Prison Law Association:
Alison Craig, Criminal Defence Lawyer.
Canadian Association of Black Lawyers:
Nana Yanful, Lawyer and Member, Criminal Justice and Police Reform Committee.
Indigenous Bar Association:
Victoria S.B. Perrie, Vice President.
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health:
Dr. Alexander Simpson, Professor and Chair, Forensic Psychiatry Research, University of Toronto.
As an individual:
Dr. John Bradford, Doctor and Professor of Psychiatry, Forensic Psychiatry, Universities of Ottawa, McMaster and Saskatchewan.
Alison Craig, Nana Yanful and Victoria S.B. Perrie each made a statement and answered questions.
At 11:34 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 11:37 a.m., the committee resumed.
Alexander Simpson and John Bradford each made a statement and answered questions.
At 12:27 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Vincent Labrosse
Clerk of the Committee