Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights

Comité permanent de la justice et des droits de la personne

For immediate release

Ottawa, June 20, 2018 -

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (the Committee) is turning to Canadians as it embarks on its study of Bill C-75, An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Youth Criminal Justice Act and other Acts and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.

Public hearings started on June 19, 2018 with the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General of Canada, the Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould. They will continue in the fall when the Committee plans to hear as many individuals and groups as possible, including former judges, provincial defense counsel and Crown Attorney associations, police officers and other experts on the various aspects of the criminal justice system that Bill C-75 proposes to change (such as the jury selection process, bail, preliminary inquiries, victims surcharges, the hybridization of certain offences and responses to intimate partner violence and administration of justice offences).

Canadian individuals and organizations are invited to submit briefs to the Committee before September 1st, 2018 to express their views on Bill C-75. Written submissions are to be no more than 10 pages and submitted to the Committee Clerk. Those preparing briefs may wish to consult the Guide for Submitting Briefs to House of Commons Committees.

Those interested in appearing before the Committee are invited to submit their request as soon as possible to the Committee Clerk. The Clerk will contact those selected to appear to provide them with the dates and times of the Committee’s hearings, the time allocated for presentations, and other details. Witnesses who are invited to appear and are unfamiliar with the hearing process can consult the Guide for Witnesses Appearing Before House of Commons Committees.

The Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights is composed of 12 Members of Parliament. It is chaired by Anthony Housefather, MP for Mount Royal.

For more information on the Committee’s members, meetings and work, please consult the Committee's website.