Justice Committee on Feb. 16th, 2012

[Stephen Woodworth, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Thank you.

Mr. Comartin, I noticed that your bill seeks to repeal paragraph 207(4)(b), but not paragraph (a) or (c). I wondered if you could explain for us how you distinguish the activity referred to in paragraph (b) from the activity referred to in (a) or (c). Why is paragraph (b) worthy of repealing but not (a) or (c)?

[Joe Comartin, NDP, Windsor—Tecumseh, ON]

I'm sorry, the part that we're repealing is (b) of (4). I don't have a (c).

[Stephen Woodworth, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

I'm looking at a 2012 Martin's Criminal Code and it seems to have a (c). But even if you were to distinguish for me the activity referred to in (b) from the activity referred to in (a), that would be helpful.

[Joe Comartin, NDP, Windsor—Tecumseh, ON]

I was in another part of section 207. Just give me a second.

I think the answer, Mr. Woodworth, if I'm reading this correctly, and I'm doing this quickly, is that it's only in (b) that you have the single sport event prohibited.

[Stephen Woodworth, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

That's my question. On what basis are you distinguishing a single sport event from three-card monte, punch board, coin table, or the activities referred to in (c)? What is the distinguishing feature of that for you, that you want to repeal that paragraph but not those that refer to these other activities?

[Joe Comartin, NDP, Windsor—Tecumseh, ON]

Why am I in favour of keeping three-card monte illegal?

[Stephen Woodworth, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

I guess so, yes. Why is that different from—

[Joe Comartin, NDP, Windsor—Tecumseh, ON]

I haven't addressed my mind to that at all. This was all about simply....

I don't even know what that type of sport would mean if—

[Stephen Woodworth, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

So there's no reason in principle why you're—

[Joe Comartin, NDP, Windsor—Tecumseh, ON]

No. I did not address it.

We know that the single sport event is a major area of betting, at this point, illegally. I have no idea what it is in three-card monte, if it's a very small percentage or whatever, but this is the area that we know—again, I'm speaking particularly from the perspective of the casinos in my province—would enhance the economic well-being of the community.

[Stephen Woodworth, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

I'd like to squeeze in one other real quick one.

You mentioned, Mr. Comartin, that you have studies that indicate legalizing one aspect of gambling does not increase compulsive gambling overall, and I wonder if I might be provided with a copy of the most persuasive study in that regard. I don't need it just at this moment, but if you were to send it to me or to the committee, that would be wonderful.

[Joe Comartin, NDP, Windsor—Tecumseh, ON]

Mr. Rutsey.

[Bill Rutsey]

That's a study we commissioned. It was done about two or three years ago by—

[Stephen Woodworth, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Can we see it?

[Bill Rutsey]

Yes.

[Stephen Woodworth, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

That's all I want.

[Bill Rutsey]

Okay, you'll get it.

It's on our website as well.

[Stephen Woodworth, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dave MacKenzie]

Thank you.

I'd like to thank the witnesses for appearing before us.

Because I think there's been good cooperation on all sides here, we've agreed that we will do the clause-by-clause consideration right now. Hopefully that will go very well.

(Clause 1 agreed to)

Mr. Goguen.

[Robert Goguen, Conservative, Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, NB]

Chair, I wanted to make an amendment to the bill. I've made Mr. Comartin aware of this and also Mr. Harris and Madam Boivin. I believe they've shared that with their colleagues.

In essence, this motion is to add a clause to Bill C-290 to bring the bill into force on a date to be fixed by an order in council. The objective of this is to give each of the jurisdictions the time to consider whether and how the betting on a single game will take place.

I have the actual wording of what would be proposed. It would be a clause 2 that says:

This act comes into force on a day to be fixed by order of the Governor in Council.

In French, we say "Que la présente loi entre en vigueur à la date fixée par décret."

I can deposit those with the clerk, if that's acceptable.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dave MacKenzie]

Having heard the amendment, those in favour?

(Amendment agreed to)

Shall the title carry?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dave MacKenzie]

Shall the bill as amended carry?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dave MacKenzie]

Shall the chair report the bill as amended to the House?