Andrew Lawton moved, — That, in relation to the agenda of the committee for the remainder of 2025,

(1) The committee prioritize the study of Bill C-14, the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act ahead of the study into Bill C-9, the Combating Hate Act, and meet at least twice a week for the remainder of the Fall 2025 session to concurrently study Bill C-14 and the other non-legislative studies agreed to by the committee, with at least one meeting per week scheduled for the purposes of considering legislation and at least one meeting per week scheduled for the purposes of undertaking other studies;

(2) With respect to the non-legislative studies, the committee complete witness testimony on bail and sentencing, and begin to prepare a report that focuses on measures needed beyond those contained in Bill C-14, then proceed to the study on the appointment of federal judges, followed by a study into the impact of the supreme court decision in relation to mandatory minimum sentences for possession of Child Sexual Exploitation Material;

(3) With respect to the oversight function of the committee, the Chair be instructed to reiterate the invitation it made to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General to appear on his mandate and priorities, and issue him a new invitation to appear in relation to the Supplementary Estimates (B) 2025-2026, provided that meetings for this purpose be scheduled before Dec. 4, 2025;

(4) In relation to the study of Bill C-14, the following witnesses be invited to appear on separate panels for one hour each:

1. Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General,
2. Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety,
3. Ruby Sahota, Secretary of State (Combating Crime), and,
4. Dr. Benjamin Roebuck, Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime;

(5) In addition to the aforementioned witnesses, at least 8 meetings be dedicated to receiving testimony from departmental officials, victims and survivors of crime or their advocates, law enforcement officials, provincial and municipal representatives, and other witnesses to be submitted by members of the committee, and;

(6) The Chair may only schedule a meeting for the purposes of clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-14 after all of the witnesses listed in point 4 have appeared, and the specified number of meetings in point 5 have occurred.

Debate arose thereon.

Andrew Lawton moved, — That the meeting be suspended.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 4.

At 5:30 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 3:34 p.m., on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, the meeting resumed.

On motion of Patricia Lattanzio, it was agreed, — That James Maloney be elected Chair of the committee.

At 3:35 p.m., James Maloney took the Chair.

Anthony Housefather moved, — that the committee move to clause by clause consideration of Bill C-9, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (hate propaganda, hate crime and access to religious or cultural places).

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 4.

At 3:41 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 3:46 p.m., the meeting resumed.

RULING BY THE CHAIR

Pursuant to the order of reference of Wednesday, October 1, 2025, the committee resumed consideration of Bill C-9, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (hate propaganda, hate crime and access to religious or cultural places).

Whereupon, Andrew Lawton appealed the decision of the Chair.

The question: "Shall the decision of the Chair be sustained?" was put and the decision was sustained, by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 4.

At 3:57 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 4:00 p.m., the meeting resumed.

The witnesses answered questions.

The committee commenced its clause-by-clause study of the Bill.

Pursuant to Standing Order 75(1), consideration of Clause 1 (short title) was postponed.

The Chair called new Clause 1.1.

At 4:15 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 4:19 p.m., the meeting resumed.

The debate continued.

At 4:34 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 4:56 p.m., the meeting resumed.

Roman Baber moved, — That new Clause 1.1 and Clause 2 be allowed to stand.

New Clause 1.1 and Clause 2 inclusive were stood severally by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 4.

At 5:01 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 5:26 p.m., the meeting resumed.

Clause 3, as amended, carried by a show of hands: YEAS: 9; NAYS: 0.

By unanimous consent, on motion of Anthony Housefather, it was agreed, — That the amendment of Rhéal Éloi Fortin be allowed to be moved:

That Bill C-9, in Clause 4, be amended by adding after line 2 on page 3 the following:

“(6.1) No proceeding for an offence under subsection (2), (2.1) or (2.2) shall be instituted without the consent of the Attorney General.”.

Patricia Lattanzio moved, — That the committee do now adjourn.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 4.