Justice Committee on Oct. 24th, 2006

Evidence of meeting #24 for Justice and Human Rights in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was judges.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Bill C-17, An Act to amend the Judges Act and certain other Acts in relation to courts

Committee Business

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Judith Bellis General Counsel, Courts and Tribunal Policy, Department of Justice

Roderick McLennan Chairperson, Judicial Compensation and Benefits Commission

David Gourdeau Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs, Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs

Gretta Chambers Commissioner, Judicial Compensation and Benefits Commission

Earl Cherniak Commissioner, Judicial Compensation and Benefits Commission

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

Sue Barnes Liberal London West, ON

With respect, the minister may have left out the fact that if we want to raise the moneys up, the government has to give its consent, because we don't have that power. That was what I put on the table seconds after he made his statement in the House originally. It's called a royal recommendation.

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Art Hanger

Thank you, Ms. Barnes.

One comment that Ms. Barnes brought up was whether the commission looks at this settlement as an attack on the judiciary.

5:20 p.m.

Chairperson, Judicial Compensation and Benefits Commission

Roderick McLennan

I wouldn't say so, Mr. Chair. I don't think it's an attack on the judiciary. The judiciary are much more sensitive about these things than I am, so I don't know what the judiciary would think, but I wouldn't see it that way.

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Art Hanger

Thank you very much.

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

Sue Barnes Liberal London West, ON

Mr. Chair, I'd like to clarify. I don't think that's what I was saying at all. I was saying that the government is often attacking the discretion of the judiciary, and they do so with their bills, with certain points.

I do not want my words reinterpreted from the chair.

Thank you.

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Art Hanger

Thank you for the point of clarification, Ms. Barnes.

I would like to thank the witnesses for their appearance.

I think this has been a valuable discussion. It's unfortunate we can't continue on a little longer. I know there are other points the members would like to question further, but time does not permit.

Thank you for your attendance.

I'm going to suspend the meeting for about one minute.

[Proceedings continue in camera]