JUST Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 23

Thursday, February 24, 2005

The Standing Committee on Justice, Human Rights, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness met at 9:09 a.m. this day, in Room 371 West Block, the Chair, Paul DeVillers, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Diane Bourgeois, Garry Breitkreuz, Joe Comartin, Hon. Paul DeVillers, Hon. Paul Harold Macklin, John Maloney, Richard Marceau, Anita Neville, Myron Thompson and Mark Warawa.

Acting Members present: Rob Moore for Vic Toews and Alan Tonks for Hon. Roy Cullen.

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

Witnesses: As an Individual: Helen C. Ward, Staff Psychiatrist, Forensic Psychiatry and Schizophrenia, Royal Ottawa Hospital. National Action Committee on the Status of Women: Sungee John, Interim President.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference of Tuesday, November 2, 2004, the Committee resumed consideration of Bill C-13, An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the DNA Identification Act and the National Defence Act.

The witnesses each made a statement and answered questions.

At 10:25 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 10:30 a.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

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

It was agreed, — That the First Report of the Subcommittee on Public Safety and National Security in relation to Bill C-26, “An Act to establish the Canada Border Services Agency” be adopted by the Committee as the Committee's Fifth Report and that the Chair report it to the House.

It was agreed, — That with regard to evidence in the government’s response to Order Paper Question Q-53 on January 31, 2005 showing 1,217 unprocessed and unopened routine DNA service requests as of November 30, 2004, and that the number of unprocessed and unopened routine DNA service requests grew from 752 to 1,217 between the end of 2003 and November 30, 2004, be it resolved that RCMP Commissioner Zaccardelli be advised by way of this motion that he will be asked to explain why he told the Committee on November 24, 2004 that, “There is no backlog in terms of DNA analysis”.

It was agreed, — That whereas it has been accepted by a majority of the subcommittee that it should review the use of Security Certificates issued pursuant to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act; therefore be it resolved that the Subcommittee on Public Safety and National Security be mandated to undertake a review of Section 4 of the Security of Information Act and a study of the use of Security Certificates, and report on each of them.

It was agreed, — That the Commissioner of the RCMP, the Commanding Officer, C Division and the Customs Excise Union be invited to appear before the Committee on Thursday, March 10, 2005 in relation to the closure of the RCMP detachments in Quebec.

It was agreed, — That the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness be invited to appear before the Committee in relation to the Main Estimates.

At 10:56 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Diane Diotte, Mark D'Amore
Clerks of the Committee

2005/02/25 1:55 p.m.