Evidence of meeting #56 for Justice and Human Rights in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was operators.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Bob Runciman  Senator, CPC, Senate
Michael Roschlau  President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Urban Transit Association
Neil Dubord  Chief, Metro Vancouver Transit Police
Matthew Taylor  Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section, Department of Justice
Pamela Arnott  Director and Senior Counsel, Policy Centre for Victim Issues, Department of Justice

4:55 p.m.

NDP

Françoise Boivin NDP Gatineau, QC

The example I'm going to give you may be a bit different, but when we amended the Civil Code of Quebec all of these committees had done their homework. That can go quickly enough, but afterwards all of the crown attorneys have to be involved. You may have a crown attorney committee, a committee with members from police forces, and so on. All of these people have to be involved. This cannot be done overnight.

I remember the time it took for this to go through all of the lawyers who were affected by the reform of the Civil Code or that of the Quebec Code of Civil Procedure. That is the case for any reform that is going to have a significant impact.

Are you claiming that bill of rights will not have much of an impact, and that there is no problem? I think that if the government introduced this bill of rights it is because it considers that it will have a positive impact.

In order for that to happen, all of the stakeholders have to be on the same wavelength and have the same tempo. Before all of the courts, judges and so on are informed and ready to apply the bill of rights, a lot of education is going to have to take place. This is not a matter of sending a simple memo to the judiciary letting them know that they are to take note, for instance, that as of March 30, 2015, there will be some changes. Anyone who works in this field knows that this cannot be done simply with memos and committees. There must be a transition period.

I find it extremely optimistic to think that all of this will be ready in time. You also have to remember that we are raising the expectations of victims. Victims are expecting to see results and they are the ones I am thinking of. As for the rest, if you seriously believe that in three months everything will be operational at all provincial levels and throughout the Canadian court system, I am not going to say anything further except perhaps to wish you good luck with that.

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Mike Wallace

That was a comment; it wasn't a question.

4:55 p.m.

NDP

Françoise Boivin NDP Gatineau, QC

There were tons of questions in it.

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Mike Wallace

Not really.

4:55 p.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh!

4:55 p.m.

NDP

Françoise Boivin NDP Gatineau, QC

Is there a mechanism of complaint here?

4:55 p.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh!

4:55 p.m.

NDP

Françoise Boivin NDP Gatineau, QC

No, I'm just kidding.

I feel like a victim. I'm being victimized.

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Mike Wallace

Is there anything further concerning moving the 90 days to 180 days? Is there anything further on amendment NDP-7?

(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])

All those in favour of clause 60 please signify.

4:55 p.m.

NDP

Françoise Boivin NDP Gatineau, QC

Can we have a recorded vote?

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Mike Wallace

Do you want a recorded vote on your amendment or on clause 60?

4:55 p.m.

NDP

Françoise Boivin NDP Gatineau, QC

I am referring to clause 60 and to the fact that we hope to see it come into effect after 90 days.

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Mike Wallace

It is on the clause.

(Clause 60 agreed to: yeas 5; nays 4)

5 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Mike Wallace

Shall clause 1 carry?

5 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

5 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Mike Wallace

Shall the title carry?

5 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

5 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Mike Wallace

Shall the bill as amended carry?

5 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

5 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Mike Wallace

It has been asked that we have a recorded vote.

5 p.m.

Conservative

Robert Goguen Conservative Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, NB

It's on the “B” side of the other recorded vote.

5 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Mike Wallace

A recorded vote has been called for on adopting the bill as amended.

(Bill as amended agreed to: yeas 9; nays 0)

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

5 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

5 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Mike Wallace

Shall the committee order a reprint of the bill as amended for the use of the House at report stage?

5 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.