THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Monday, June 15, 2026
(48)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 9:30 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, Dalphond, Dhillon, Miville-Dechêne, Osler, Oudar, Pate, Prosper and Simons (11).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Duncan (1).
Participating in the meeting: Dana Phillips and Allison Lowenger, Analysts, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, the committee continued 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, Criminal Law Policy Section.
As individuals:
Nicholas Bala, Distinguished Professor of Law, Queen's University (by videoconference);
Margaret Hall, Professor, Simon Fraser University (by videoconference);
Carmen Gill, Professor, Department of Sociology, University of New Brunswick (by videoconference).
The minister made a statement and, together with Owen Ripley, answered questions.
At 10:34 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 10:41 a.m., the committee resumed.
Nicholas Bala, Margaret Hall and Carmen Gill each made a statement and answered questions.
At 11:33 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Vincent Labrosse
Clerk of the Committee