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Minutes of Proceedings

42nd Parliament, 1st Session
Meeting No. 27
Thursday, October 6, 2016, 11:03 a.m. to 11:12 a.m.
Presiding
Anthony Housefather, Chair (Liberal)

House of Commons
• Olivier Champagne, Legislative Clerk
 
Library of Parliament
• Lyne Casavant, Analyst
• Julia Nicol, Analyst
Department of Justice
• Glenn Gilmour, Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section
• Dan Moore, Counsel, Human Rights Law Section
• Carole Morency, Director General and Senior General Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section
Pursuant to the Order of Reference of Thursday, April 21, 2016, the Committee commenced consideration of Bill C-242, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (inflicting torture).

Motion

Iqra Khalid moved, — That the Committee, pursuant to Standing Order 97.1, recommend that the House of Commons do not proceed further with Bill C-242, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (inflicting torture), because:

While the principle is laudable, the amendments proposed by the Bill may be redundant in light of existing Criminal Code provisions. These provisions can be used to deal with even the most serious forms of torture by private individuals;

The existing offences of aggravated assault and aggravated sexual assault are specifically intended to respond to the most heinous types of non-homicidal conduct;

There would be better ways to ensure that judges clearly have the authority under section 718.2 of the Criminal Code to consider torturous conduct; and

That the Chair present this report to the House.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 9; NAYS: 0.

It was agreed, — That the Committee send a letter to the Minister of Justice with regard to the issues raised by Bill C-242 for inclusion in the review of the Criminal Code.

At 11:12 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.



Michael MacPherson
Clerk of the Committee