Canadian Heritage Committee on Nov. 8th, 2017

[Julie Dzerowicz, Liberal, Davenport, ON]

That's okay. Don't you worry.

One of the recommendations is about whether data could actually be collected by community-based organizations. Could you apply a uniform crime reporting survey to community-based organizations in the same way that you do to the police?

I can see why a lot of people within organizations across the country wouldn't go to the police. There are different reasons. There are different cultures in different cities and different places. I wonder whether StatsCan has ever used a uniform crime reporting survey, the same model from the police but with community-based organizations?

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

You have one minute.

[Rebecca Kong]

In the past we have collected data from organizations such as those related to victim services to fill gaps in information. It's not unheard of for StatsCan to work with non-profit organizations or community-based organizations in data collection.

[Julie Dzerowicz, Liberal, Davenport, ON]

It's possible.

[Yvan Clermont]

It is possible. I was going to say exactly the same thing. We have the transition home survey as well, so it's a possibility.

[Julie Dzerowicz, Liberal, Davenport, ON]

If you were going to collect data on offenders, how would you go about doing that? What would be your recommendation?

[Rebecca Kong]

We would see that, likely, not so much as a survey type of exercise but more as a research type of exercise for which there would be a specific research project design such that those who would have access to offenders could do interviews and collect that type of information. It doesn't seem like the type of information that's conducive to a survey.

[Julie Dzerowicz, Liberal, Davenport, ON]

Okay, that's excellent.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you very much.

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Ms. Fry, can I just ask them for a clarification in terms of one thing they're going to supply—in 10 seconds?

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

It would really have to be 10 seconds, Mr. Virani.

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

You said you track the characteristics of the accused, the time it took to process in court, and the end result of the court proceeding. Was that something you were going to provide to the committee, and if it wasn't, could you please provide it?

[Yvan Clermont]

Thank you for the clarification, because I didn't interpret that as an ask. We could look at whether there is a sufficient number of offences being tried for those four offences of the Criminal Code that pertain to hate crimes specifically. For all the other types of offences—which are, for example, mischief, uttering threats, or anything that was motivated by hate—we cannot track them down into the court system.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you, Mr. Clermont.

Would you give that information to the clerk, please, so it can be passed on to all the committee members?

[Yvan Clermont]

Yes.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I want to thank you for coming. It was very informative. I wish we had two hours with you, but thank you for coming.

I would like to go in camera now, so I'd like to clear the room of anyone who is not one member of an MP's staff or an MP. We're going to have a bell at 25 minutes after, and it's a 15-minute bell.

We have suspended.

[Proceedings continue in camera]