JUST Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 48

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

The Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights met in a televised session at 3:32 p.m. this day, in Room 237-C, Centre Block, the Chair, Ed Fast, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Joe Comartin, Ed Fast, Hon. Marlene Jennings, Hon. Dominic LeBlanc, Rob Moore, Brian Murphy, Daniel Petit, Brent Rathgeber and Stephen Woodworth.

Acting Members present: Guy André for Serge Ménard, Rod Bruinooge for Rick Norlock, Michel Guimond for Serge Ménard, Richard Nadeau for Marc Lemay and Joe Preston for Rick Norlock.

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Cynthia Kirkby, Analyst ; Dominique Valiquet, Analyst ; Robin MacKay, Analyst.

Appearing: Hon. Rob Nicholson, Minister of Justice.

Witnesses: Department of Justice: Catherine Kane, Acting Director General and Senior General Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section; Joanne Klineberg, Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section. Canadian Human Rights Tribunal: Shirish P. Chotalia, Chairperson; Gregory M. Smith, Executive Director and Registrar; Greg Miller, Counsel.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference of Monday, October 26, 2009, the Committee commenced consideration of Bill C-52, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (sentencing for fraud).

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

The Chair called Clause 2.

The Minister made a statement and, with Catherine Kane, answered questions.

At 4:32 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:36 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference of Thursday, October 1, 2009, and Standing Order 111, the Committee commenced its study of the Order-in-Council appointment of Shirish P. Chotalia to the position of Chairperson of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal.

Shirish P. Chotalia made a statement and answered questions.

On motion of Brian Murphy, it was agreed, — That this Committee has examined the qualifications and competence of Shirish P. Chotalia to the position of Chairperson of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal and finds her competent to perform the duties of the position and fully endorses her appointment.

At 5:16 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 5:19 p.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

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

The Chair presented the Eighth Report from the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, as amended, which read as follows:

Your Subcommittee met on Tuesday, November 17, 2009, to consider the business of the Committee and agreed to make the following recommendations:

On Bill C-52:

That, on Bill C-52, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (sentencing for fraud) following the Minister on Wednesday, November 18, 2009, the Committee hear witnesses on Monday, November 23, Wednesday, November 25, and Monday, December 7, and that the Committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration on Wednesday, December 9.

On Bill C-42:

That, on Bill C-42, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (Ending Conditional Sentences for Property and Other Serious Crimes Act), the Committee invite the Minister of Justice to appear on Wednesday, December 2 along with senior officials from the Department of Justice.

On the Supplementary Estimates (B):

That, on the Supplementary Estimates (B), the Committee invite the Minister of Justice to appear on Wednesday, December 2, 2009.

On the study on organized crime:

That, on the Committee’s study on organized crime, the Committee travel to Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Edmonton, Alberta, from Wednesday, February 24 to Friday, February 26, 2010.

It was agreed, — That the report of the Subcommittee, as amended, be concurred in.

It was agreed, — That the proposed budget in the amount of $18,400, in relation to the study on Bill C-52, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (sentencing for fraud), be adopted.

At 5:24 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Miriam Burke
Clerk of the Committee

2010/02/11 1:51 p.m.