THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Thursday, March 12, 2026
(29)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 10:31 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.
The committee considered a draft report.
The committee discussed observations.
After debate, it was agreed that observations be appended to the committee’s report.
It was agreed that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to approve the final version of the observations being appended to the report, in both official languages, taking into consideration today’s discussion the changes discussed in committee, and with any necessary editorial, grammatical or translation changes as required.
It was agreed that the chair report Bill S-209 as amended, with amendments and with observations, to the Senate, in both official languages, at the earliest opportunity.
At 10:38, 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.
It was agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill S-205.
It was agreed that the title stand postponed.
It was agreed that the preamble stand postponed.
It was agreed that clause 1, which contains the alternative title, stand postponed.
It was agreed that clause 2 carry, on division.
The chair asked whether clause 3 shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Simons moved that Bill S-205 be amended, in clause 3, on page 3, by deleting lines 13 to 21.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was adopted, on division.
It was agreed that clause 3, as amended, carry, on division.
The chair asked whether clause 4 shall carry.
After debate, clause 4 was negatived, on division.
It was agreed that clause 5 carry, on division.
The chair asked whether clause 6 shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Simons moved that Bill S-205 be amended, in clause 6, on page 4,
(a) by replacing line 9 with the following:
“6 Paragraph 37.1(2)(a) of the Act is replaced”;
(b) by deleting lines 14 to 24.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was adopted, on division.
It was agreed that clause 6, as amended, carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 7 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 8 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 9 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 10 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 11 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 1, which contains the alternative title, carry.
It was agreed that the preamble carry, on division.
It was agreed that the title carry.
It was agreed that the bill carry, as amended, on division.
It was agreed that the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel be authorized to make necessary technical, grammatical or other required non-substantive changes resulting from the amendments adopted by the committee, in both official languages, including updating cross-references and renumbering of provisions.
It was agreed that the chair report Bill S-205, with amendments, to the Senate, in both official languages, at the earliest opportunity.
At 10:53 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Vincent Labrosse
Clerk of the Committee