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Minutes of Proceedings

Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (JUST)
45th Parliament, 1st Session
Meeting 21
Monday, March 23, 2026, 11:02 a.m. to 12:58 p.m.
Webcast
Presiding
James Maloney, Chair (Liberal)

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• Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe for Rhéal Éloi Fortin (Bloc Québécois)
• Kurt Holman for Andrew Lawton (Conservative)
• Tamara Kronis for Larry Brock (Conservative)
Library of Parliament
• Lyne Casavant, Analyst
• Isabelle Chénier, Analyst
• Iryna Zazulya, Analyst
Bill C-16, An Act to amend certain Acts in relation to criminal and correctional matters (child protection, gender-based violence, delays and other measures)
• Hon. Sean Fraser, P.C., M.P., Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Department of Justice
• Owen Ripley, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy Sector
• Matthew Taylor, Senior General Counsel and Director General, Criminal Law Policy Section
• Nathalie Levman, Senior Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section
• Chelsea Moore, Team Lead and Legal Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section
• Joanna Wells, Senior Counsel and Team Lead, Criminal Law Policy Section
Pursuant to the order of reference of Monday, February 2, 2026, the committee commenced consideration of Bill C-16, An Act to amend certain Acts in relation to criminal and correctional matters (child protection, gender-based violence, delays and other measures).

The Hon. Sean Fraser made a statement and answered questions.

At 12:02 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 12:10 p.m., the meeting resumed.

Matthew Taylor, Nathalie Levman, Chelsea Moore and Joanna Wells answered questions.

Motion

Patricia Lattanzio moved, — That the committee begin its study of Bill C-16 on Monday, March 23, 2026, with the first hour dedicated to the appearance of the Minister of Justice and the second hour to departmental officials;

That the committee hold five meetings with witnesses on March 25, April 13, April 15, April 20 and April 22, 2026;

That, following the conclusion of witness testimony, the committee proceed to clause by clause consideration of Bill C-16 on Monday, April 27, 2026.

At 12:39 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 12:49 p.m., the meeting resumed.

Amendment

Andrew Lawton moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “That the committee hold five meetings with witnesses on March 25, April 13, April 15, April 20 and April 22, 2026” with the following: "That the committee hold nine additional meetings".

The question was put on the amendment of Andrew Lawton and it was negatived on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Roman Baber, Larry Brock, Amarjeet Gill, Tamara Kronis — 4;

NAYS: Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Wade Chang, Anju Dhillon, Anthony Housefather, Patricia Lattanzio — 5.

Amendment

Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe moved, — That the motion be amended by adding, at the end of the thrid paragrah, after the words “on Monday, April 27, 2026,” the following words, “and that the Committee then proceed with the study proposed by the MP Rhéal Éloi Fortin on the appointment of judges, as adopted on September 23, 2025”.

At 12:53 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 12:53 p.m., the meeting resumed.

The question was put on the amendment of Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Roman Baber, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Wade Chang, Anju Dhillon, Amarjeet Gill, Kurt Holman, Anthony Housefather, Tamara Kronis, Patricia Lattanzio — 9;

NAYS: — 0.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Wade Chang, Anju Dhillon, Anthony Housefather, Patricia Lattanzio — 5;

NAYS: Roman Baber, Amarjeet Gill, Kurt Holman, Tamara Kronis — 4.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That the committee begin its study of Bill C-16 on Monday, March 23, 2026, with the first hour dedicated to the appearance of the Minister of Justice and the second hour to departmental officials;

That the committee hold five meetings with witnesses on March 25, April 13, April 15, April 20 and April 22, 2026;

That, following the conclusion of witness testimony, the committee proceed to clause by clause consideration of Bill C-16 on Monday, April 27, 2026, and; that the Committee then proceed with the study proposed by the MP Rhéal Éloi Fortin on the appointment of judges, as adopted on September 23, 2025.

Committee Business
The committee proceeded to the consideration of matters related to committee business.

That the proposed supplementary budget of $15,000 for the study of Bill C-9, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (hate propaganda, hate crime and access to religious or cultural places), be adopted

At 12:58 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.



Jean-François Lafleur
Clerk of the committee