Justice committee  I am favourable to collaborative federalism, as the chief justice put it in a decision on the national securities regulator or another decision. I think improvements will have to be made in terms of delay and penalties, so that potential victims' lawyers can represent their clien

Justice committee  When it comes to police discretion, it's not a matter of challenging police officers' discretionary power in the fight against crime—in other words, the pursuit of an individual who will potentially be charged. However, when we talk about discretionary power in the context of a

Justice committee  Regarding delay and victims' rights, we had a situation in Quebec that caused me some concern. I am interested in organized crime issues. So what is happening at the Gouin Judicial Services Centre worries me. Judge James Brunton ordered a stay of proceedings in some 40 cases invo

Justice committee  Yes, sir.

Justice committee  I will answer in two parts. If the legislator decides to maintain clause 20, its substance would certainly need to be more specific, so as to describe precisely what the discretionary power of the police and Crown consists of with regard to victims. We know what it is in connect

Justice committee  Indeed, there could be plea bargaining, or an appeal. This is not only my personal opinion. It is what came out of the symposium, and there was a consensus. The Hon. Christian Paradis was there as a guest of honour, as well as Mr. Bertrand St-Arnaud. In my opinion, this reflect

Justice committee  I was a pro bono lawyer for close to eight years with the Honourable Senator Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu. I was a very close collaborator and friend until last April, that is to say until I saw the document, in particular clause 20 regarding the discretionary power, which is poorly de

Justice committee  I am trying to be as apolitical as possible.

Justice committee  Mr. Chair, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, and especially to Ms. Françoise Boivin, the member for Gatineau, for giving me the opportunity today to express my concerns about clause 20 of Bill C-32. F