Public Safety Committee on Dec. 3rd, 2012

Evidence of meeting #63 for Public Safety and National Security in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was information.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Bill S-7, An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Canada Evidence Act and the Security of Information Act

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Jeff Yaworski Assistant Director, Operations, Canadian Security Intelligence Service

Monik Beauregard Director, Integrated Terrorism Assessment Centre

Marilou Reeve Staff Lawyer, Canadian Bar Association

Paul Calarco Member, National Criminal Justice Section, Canadian Bar Association

Denis Barrette Spokesperson, International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group

5:25 p.m.

Liberal

Francis Scarpaleggia Liberal Lac-Saint-Louis, QC

It can or....

5:25 p.m.

Member, National Criminal Justice Section, Canadian Bar Association

Paul Calarco

Yes, by using present provisions of the code.

5:25 p.m.

Liberal

Francis Scarpaleggia Liberal Lac-Saint-Louis, QC

Sorry, I don't mean to interrupt, but I have so little time.

A previous witness said that you might need a higher standard of proof that the person was about to commit some kind of terrorist act, as opposed to just going to a training camp, maybe for a research project.

5:25 p.m.

Member, National Criminal Justice Section, Canadian Bar Association

Paul Calarco

I would think it highly unlikely that a person would go to a training camp for a research project. They're there to commit crimes and learn how to commit crimes. They don't just show up there. There has been an organization and an agreement to have the person received. That could be dealt with under present conspiracy law because they have agreed with another party to train to commit an offence, which has some effect or some basis in Canada. Also, a terrorist organization is by definition a criminal organization. The criminal organization law is quite wide in this country. Doing something which benefits or assists a criminal organization is an offence in Canada. There is plenty of legislation there right now, sir.

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson

Thank you, Mr. Scarpaleggia, and thank you to our guests for appearing today. Unfortunately, our time is up and we're confined by the agenda to end right at 5:30 p.m.

I want to thank you for coming, and again, we do apologize. I know that when we give seven minutes to one side, it's their seven minutes to decide how they deal with it, and it's been shortened today because of the votes. Thank you for being here, for giving your testimony, and for answering the questions.

The meeting is adjourned.