THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Wednesday, June 10, 2026
(44)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 4:15 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, LaBoucane-Benson, Miville-Dechêne, Moncion, Oudar, Prosper, Saint-Germain, Simons, Tannas and Wells (Alberta) (14).
Participating in the meeting: Allison Lowenger and Dana Phillips, Analysts, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, the committee began its consideration of the subject matter of Bill C-16, An Act to amend certain Acts in relation to criminal and correctional matters (child protection, gender-based violence, delays and other measures).
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;
Nathalie Levman, Senior Counsel;
Chelsea Moore, Acting Team Lead and Legal Counsel;
Leah Burt, Counsel;
Sandra Couture, Counsel.
Public Safety Canada:
Stacey Ault, Director, Corrections and Criminal Justice Division;
Lyndon Murdock, Director, Corrections and Criminal Justice Division.
Department of National Defence:
Colonel David Sinclair, Deputy Judge Advocate General, Military Justice Modernization, Office of the Judge Advocate General;
Major Martin Tremblay, Legal Advisor, Military Justice Modernization, Office of the Judge Advocate General.
The minister made a statement and, together with Nathalie Levman, Matthew Taylor and Owen Ripley, answered questions.
At 5:28 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:34 p.m., the committee resumed.
Leah Burt, Chelsea Moore, Nathalie Levman and Matthew Taylor answered questions.
At 6:14 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Vincent Labrosse
Clerk of the Committee