THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Wednesday, March 25, 2026
(30)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 4:18 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, Dalphond, Dhillon, Miville-Dechêne, Moreau, P.C., Oudar, Pate, Prosper, Saint-Germain, Simons, Tannas and Wells (Alberta) (14).
At 6:09 p.m., the Honourable Senator Dalphond replaced the Honourable Senator Saint-Germain as a member of the committee.
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, March 12, 2026, the committee began its consideration of Bill C-14, An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Youth Criminal Justice Act and the National Defence Act (bail and sentencing).
APPEARING:
The Honourable Sean Fraser, P.C., M.P, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
WITNESSES:
Department of Justice Canada:
Owen Ripley, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy Sector;
Matthew Taylor, Senior General Counsel and Director General, Criminal Law Policy Section;
Myriam Wills, Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section;
Joanna Wells, Acting Senior Counsel and Team Lead, Criminal Law Policy Section;
Samantha Reynolds, Legal Counsel, Youth Criminal Justice Division;
Claire Farid, Director General and Senior General Counsel, Family Law and Youth Justice Policy Section.
The minister made a statement and answered questions.
At 5:24 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:30 p.m., the committee resumed.
Matthew Taylor, Myriam Wills, Joanna Wells and Claire Farid answered questions.
At 6:19 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Vincent Labrosse
Clerk of the Committee