Justice Committee on April 20th, 2009

[Réal Ménard, Bloc, Hochelaga, QC]

I can ask for each clause, if you like.

[The Chair, Conservative, Ed Fast]

Yes.

[Réal Ménard, Bloc, Hochelaga, QC]

I will ask.

[The Chair, Conservative, Ed Fast]

You certainly can if you wish, but I was hoping we could collaborate a little here to get this through quickly.

[Mike Wallace, Conservative, Burlington, ON]

Why are you doing this?

[Réal Ménard, Bloc, Hochelaga, QC]

If we are not able to quickly consult the officials, is it not possible that we might not understand what we are voting on? I might as well take your Conservative Party membership card.

[The Chair, Conservative, Ed Fast]

As I understand it, Monsieur Ménard, there was one clause you had an issue with that you've provided an amendment for. We're going to deal with that. There's no suggestion that you have amendments to any of the other clauses. I hope we will have some collaboration and cooperation.

[Réal Ménard, Bloc, Hochelaga, QC]

This is not about cooperation. I just want to be quickly reminded...I have read it, I came in on Sunday to read it, but I just want to make sure that we understand what we are voting on. That is why we are here. Where does the idea come from that cooperation means not asking for an explanation of what we are voting on?

[The Chair, Conservative, Ed Fast]

If there are questions for any particular clause you can certainly ask them. I'm not going to shut you down. We'll just move through them one by one.

[Réal Ménard, Bloc, Hochelaga, QC]

I am going to ask about the intent of each clause. I like thoroughness, Mr. Petit, but I know that you and thoroughness are always some distance apart.

[The Chair, Conservative, Ed Fast]

We'll move to clause-by-clause.

Monsieur Ménard.

[Réal Ménard, Bloc, Hochelaga, QC]

What is the intent of clause 1?

[Matthew Taylor, Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section, Department of Justice]

Clause 1 is really a drafting formality to bring consistency to the use of certain specified terms throughout the code and to ensure that there's no ambiguity in how these terms are interpreted in the code.

[Réal Ménard, Bloc, Hochelaga, QC]

Fine. Thank you.

(Clause 1 agreed to)

(On clause 2)

[The Chair, Conservative, Ed Fast]

Next are clauses 2 and 3.

[Réal Ménard, Bloc, Hochelaga, QC]

What is the intent of clause 2?

[The Chair, Conservative, Ed Fast]

Monsieur Ménard.

[Réal Ménard, Bloc, Hochelaga, QC]

Monsieur Wallace, control yourself. You are so nervous.

[The Chair, Conservative, Ed Fast]

Please.

[Matthew Taylor]

Clause 2 is only a drafting formality to modernize language in the code.

[The Chair, Conservative, Ed Fast]

Thank you.

(Clauses 2 and 3 agreed to)

(On clause 4)

[Réal Ménard, Bloc, Hochelaga, QC]

No. What is the intent of clause 4?

[Matthew Taylor]

Clause 4 adds one existing offence and a proposed new offence to section 183 to authorize wiretaps for the investigation of these offences. Section 244 on discharging a firearm with intent, which exists in the code currently, was not included in that list. So we're adding it to that list now, as well as the new proposed offence of discharging a firearm while being reckless.

(Clause 4 agreed to)

(On clause 5)

[The Chair, Conservative, Ed Fast]

Shall clause 5 carry?

[Réal Ménard, Bloc, Hochelaga, QC]

No. What is the intent of clause 5?