QUESTION PERIOD — Business of the Senate
Bill C-337--Progress of Legislation
May 1, 2019
Honourable senators, my question is to the Government Representative.
Senator Harder, many of us have heard that the Opposition Whip has given his word to Senator Sinclair that Bill C-262, UNDRIP, will be referred to committee the week of May 14. As the Opposition Whip pledged in this chamber, he is a man of his word, so all of us can rely on his word that this will indeed occur. I’ve heard of no such deal with respect to Bill C-337, sexual assault training for judges.
Senator Harder, last week, in response to my question to you about this, you indicated you were prepared to move a motion to direct the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, if the Senate concurs, to set aside the time required to deal with this bill if there was all-group and all-party agreement. Hearing nothing of an agreement, I have asked the chair of the committee, the facilitator of the ISG and the leader of the Independent Liberals. All of them have indicated while they may support amendments to the bill, they have no objection to supporting a direction motion from the Senate.
Senator Harder, that begs the question: If you, the committee chair, the ISG facilitator and the Liberal leader all agree, who is holding up this bill that seeks greater justice for victims of sexual assault?
I thank the honourable senator for her question. She will know that it is in the hands of the committee, which is already seized of the bill to determine the pace and timing of its consideration. I will not speak to the discussions leaders may or may not have. I have encouraged not only consideration of this bill in a timely fashion, but I have indicated my personal support and the support of the government for this bill. I will point out to all honourable colleagues that the relevant committee is seized of government legislation and, as we all have agreed to the time frame for that consideration. My recollection is that the report stage for the single bill still before that committee is May 17, which provides, I would hope, a planning framework for us all to agree that it would be entirely appropriate and readily available for consideration before the end of this month. That is, again, just my view. That is for the committee to determine. I hope they can make that commitment in a timely fashion.
