THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL AFFAIRS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Thursday, June 11, 2026
(45)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 10:29 a.m., in room B45, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Rosemary Moodie, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Arnold, Boudreau, Burey, Cuzner, Hay, Martin, McPhedran, Moodie, Muggli, Petitclerc and Senior (11).
Participating in the meeting: Laura Blackmore and Mayra Perez-Leclerc, 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 Bill C-225, An Act to amend the Criminal Code.
WITNESSES:
Department of Justice Canada:
Nathalie Levman, Senior Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section;
Alyssa McLeod, Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section.
Women and Gender Equality Canada:
Frances McRae, Deputy Minister, Women and Gender Equality and Youth;
Marjorie Emmanuel, Executive Director, Gender-Based Violence.
Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan:
Crystal Giesbrecht, Director of Research (by videoconference).
Alyssa McLeod, Nathalie Levman and Frances McRae answered questions.
At 11:29 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 11:33 a.m., the committee resumed.
At 11:35 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 11:43 a.m., the committee resumed in camera.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, October 2, 2025, the committee continued its study of matters related to the impact of artificial intelligence in Canada.
Pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee discussed a draft report.
It was agreed that staff be allowed to remain in the room for the in camera portion of today’s meeting.
It was agreed that the committee allow the audio recording and/or transcription of the in camera portion of today’s meeting, that one copy be kept with the clerk of the committee for consultation by committee members and/or staff, and that the audio recording and/or transcript be destroyed by the clerk of the committee when authorized to do so by the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, but no later than at the end of this parliamentary session.
It was agreed that the clerk note in the minutes of the meeting the results of the recorded vote.
It was agreed that the committee proceed with the release of an interim report on the impact of artificial languages in Canada, on the following vote: YEAS — 6; NAYS — 4.
At 12:43 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 12:44 p.m., the committee resumed in public.
It was agreed that the draft report be adopted in both official languages, and that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to approve the final version of the report, taking into consideration this meeting’s discussions, and with any necessary editorial, grammatical and translation changes required.
It was agreed that the chair be authorized to table the report in the Senate, or with the Clerk of the Senate, in both official languages, at the earliest opportunity.
At 12:47 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Ferda Simpson
Clerk of the Committee