Justice Committee on Feb. 13th, 2007

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

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair. Being cognizant of the time, and given that the public safety and national security committee is meeting in seven minutes in the East Block and I have to be at that, I'm assuming from the stage we're at, at this point, that we're not going to complete this today. I would just like a clarification that we will be meeting to complete this, hopefully, at the next meeting. I understand the minister is coming on Thursday so we would not be completing this until next week.

I don't believe we have anything scheduled for next Tuesday.

[The Chair, Conservative, Art Hanger]

We will complete this on Tuesday, one week hence. The minister is coming on Thursday.

(On clause 13)

[The Chair, Conservative, Art Hanger]

There's a Liberal amendment.

[Marlene Jennings, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC]

I move it.

[The Chair, Conservative, Art Hanger]

Liberal amendment number 5.

[Marlene Jennings, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC]

Liberal amendment number 5 has the same objective as Liberal amendment number 2, number 3, and number 4, which was and is to increase the current minimum mandatory sentence of one year to two years. In so doing, it would ensure that subsequent convictions for the same offence would in fact, through judicial rulings, receive stricter sentences, be tailor-made for the individual for the specific crime, for the circumstances under which the crime was committed, and for the impact on the victim--all of the criteria that judges need to take into consideration when determining the penalty to be meted out.

[The Chair, Conservative, Art Hanger]

Thank you, Ms. Jennings.

The amendment is inadmissible.

[Derek Lee, Liberal, Scarborough—Rouge River, ON]

I challenge the chair. Call the question.

[The Chair, Conservative, Art Hanger]

We'll call the question on the challenge.

(Ruling of the chair overturned)

[The Chair, Conservative, Art Hanger]

It is overturned, so the amendment can proceed.

(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])

(Clause 13 negatived)

[Réal Ménard, Bloc, Hochelaga, QC]

Mr. Chairman, may I move that we adjourn, since some members are expected at other committee meetings. I move that we adjourn.

[The Chair, Conservative, Art Hanger]

So be it.

(Motion agreed to)

The meeting is adjourned.