Justice Committee on Feb. 20th, 2007

[The Chair, Conservative, Art Hanger]

Okay.

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

Can I clarify with the departmental official that no other acts are consequentially amended by the bill in its current state?

[Julie Besner]

That is correct.

[The Chair, Conservative, Art Hanger]

In reference to the title of Bill C-10, Mr. Lee's amendment would read:An Act to amend the Criminal Code (offences involving firearms)

(Amendment agreed to)

[Réal Ménard, Bloc, Hochelaga, QC]

Fine.

[The Chair, Conservative, Art Hanger]

Shall the title as amended carry?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Conservative, Art Hanger]

Mr. Bagnell.

[Larry Bagnell, Liberal, Yukon, YT]

At the beginning of this Mr. Moore came in the spirit of cooperation, and once again we'd like you to hear Marlene Jennings' point. We're offering a chance to increase mandatory minimums. Except for the parliamentary secretary, Conservative members didn't get a chance to vote on that.

It's hard for me to do this, because I'm against them, but we offered to increase the mandatory minimums, although not as much as the Conservatives wanted. We understand that, but it's a minority government. Ms. Jennings wants to put that offer on the table again.

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

I do.

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

On a point of order, Mr. Chair, we've been through it three times this morning. It's obvious that the Bloc and I are not going to give unanimous consent, in any event. Can we just move on? It's irrelevant at this point.

If you want to carry on negotiations, carry them on someplace else.

[The Chair, Conservative, Art Hanger]

There is no unanimous consent.

Shall the bill as amended carry?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Conservative, Art Hanger]

Shall I report the bill as amended to the House?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Conservative, Art Hanger]

Shall the committee order a reprint of the bill?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Conservative, Art Hanger]

That concludes Bill C-10 clause-by-clause.

While the committee is present and we have the time, we will now deal with the ninth report of the subcommittee on agenda and procedure. Do you have a copy of that before you?

First on the agenda is that the vote concerning the motion of Mr. Ménard concerning some proposed amendments to the Criminal Code be postponed until after the adjournment period of March 2007.

[Réal Ménard, Bloc, Hochelaga, QC]

Mr. Chairman, I would like to explain that, further to measures which involved me and which were taken by the minister's staff, and in a spirit of candid cooperation and solid friendship, I've understood that the government would like to have a bit more time in order to put their officials to work and assess the impact of my four proposals.

I in no way want the committee members to vote for these measures in a rush, without having all of the information. I have confidence that my motions are solid, because I prepared them in consultation with law forcemeat organizations. Nevertheless, I would not feel good about rushing my colleagues and therefore I agree that the officials should have all the time that they need. We could vote on my motion when we get back after the March break. I am therefore maintaining my amendments in their entirety, along with those of Ms. Jennings.

Mr. Petit, I think that you suggested an amendment as well.

[The Chair, Conservative, Art Hanger]

Thank you, Mr. Ménard.

We'll just stand this one down until some time in March.

The next item at Thursday's meeting will be Mr. Rajotte's private member's bill, Bill C-299. Mr. Rajotte will be here along with departmental officials. We anticipate doing clause-by-clause on that day.

The third point here is Bill C-18, the DNA bill. It's anticipated that there will be four individuals or groups invited to appear on Tuesday, February 27, and that clause-by-clause study will take place on March 1, 2007. I believe the individuals will include an academic and those associated with the DNA data bank, the bar, and departments. Agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Conservative, Art Hanger]

Next is that the committee proceed to the study of the use of the provisions of Bill C-53 after the Easter recess in April 2007.

[Réal Ménard, Bloc, Hochelaga, QC]

Mr. Chairman, if I may, I would like to provide some explanations.

[The Chair, Conservative, Art Hanger]

Monsieur Ménard.

[Réal Ménard, Bloc, Hochelaga, QC]

Bill C-53 was adopted unanimously by the members from all parties in the House, during the final days of the Martin government. This was a bill that reversed the onus of proof for goods acquired by criminal organizations.

Further to consultations with various organizations, I discovered that, for all kinds of reasons that warrant an explanation, the bill does not appear to be very useful in its current format to law enforcement agencies. I think that it is incumbent upon us to find out why Bill C-53 has not been reviewed, even though it has not been around for very long in the life of the law enforcement agencies. This is not an urgent matter, but I do think that we should, before the summer adjournment, have a briefing session here in committee with the officials responsible for C-53.