JUST Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 30

Thursday, April 7, 2005

The Standing Committee on Justice, Human Rights, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness met in a televised session at 11:11 a.m. this day, in Room 237-C Centre Block, the Chair, Paul DeVillers, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Garry Breitkreuz, Joe Comartin, Hon. Paul DeVillers, Hon. Paul Harold Macklin, Richard Marceau, Anita Neville, Vic Toews and Mark Warawa.

Acting Members present: Rob Moore for Myron Thompson.

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Philip Rosen, Principal ; Robin MacKay, Analyst.

Appearing: Hon. Irwin Cotler, Minister of Justice.

Witnesses: Department of Justice: Judith Bellis, General Counsel, Courts and Tribunal Policy; François Giroux, Judicial Affairs Advisor, Minister's Office.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee commenced its study of the process by which judges are appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada.

The Minister made a statement and, with the other witnesses, answered questions.

Notice of motion given by Richard Marceau: “That the Committee expresses its great disappointment with regards to the proposed reform of the appointment process for the Supreme Court Justices by the government; denounces the overly broad discretion given to the Justice Minister and the Prime Minister in the suggested process; requests that the government reconsider its position and come back to the Committee before the end of June with a new and more ambitious reform proposal, including a more important role for parliamentarians and the provinces.“

At 1:10 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Diane Diotte
Clerk of the Committee

2005/04/22 1:25 p.m.