Evidence of meeting #58 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 judge.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Wallace Craig  Retired Judge, As an Individual
Edward Ratushny  Professor, Common Law Section, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa, As an Individual
Tony Cannavino  President, Canadian Police Association
William Trudell  Chair, Canadian Council of Criminal Defence Lawyers
David Griffin  Executive Officer, Canadian Police Association

5:35 p.m.

Bloc

Réal Ménard Bloc Hochelaga, QC

This comes from me.

The police invited us to visit the National Child Exploitation Coordination Centre.

5:35 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Art Hanger

Last week.

5:35 p.m.

Liberal

Derek Lee Liberal Scarborough—Rouge River, ON

How courteous of the police, how courteous of the witnesses. I don't understand why we're going.

5:40 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Art Hanger

The question was asked by a committee member.

5:40 p.m.

Liberal

Derek Lee Liberal Scarborough—Rouge River, ON

The matter we're studying involves the age of consent. And it's a fairly technically worded bill. It's a complex little sucker, and I do not understand why we have to do an on-site visit to a police office to better understand the bill. I can understand why we went for the DNA bill, but not on Bill C-22. I recall some reference to child pornography from that witness. But this has nothing to do with child pornography; it's got to do with 14- and 15-year-olds' consent and some other add-ons to protect 14- and 15-year-olds.

So at this point, I am fully opposed to what's taking valuable committee time. It has nothing to do with the money; it's taking valuable committee time out from the study of Bill C-22 to go and do an on-site visit. So I am opposed to it.

5:40 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Art Hanger

Mr. Lee, just to point out, it's not committee time; it's an additional day that was slotted for it. So you put your point forward.

Monsieur Ménard.

5:40 p.m.

Bloc

Réal Ménard Bloc Hochelaga, QC

Mr. Chairman, just to inform Mr. Lee, I would say that we can adapt to what committee members want. However, some committee members have not visited the National Child Exploitation Coordination Centre at the RCMP. Members of the RCMP told us that they would have some expertise in the sexual exploitation of children that would be helpful in understanding the issue.

I do not think this is irrelevant, and I am prepared to support that.

5:40 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Art Hanger

Those in favour of this budget and the trip? Those opposed?

(Motion negatived)

5:40 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Art Hanger

The meeting is adjourned.