Evidence of meeting #77 for Justice and Human Rights in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was responsible.

A video is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Stacy Galt  As an Individual
Louise Bradley  President and Chief Executive Officer, Mental Health Commission of Canada
Patrick Baillie  Member, Advisory Council, Mental Health Commission of Canada
Giuseppe Battista  Lawyer and President, Committee on Criminal Law, Barreau du Québec
Alexander Simpson  Chief of Forensic Psychiatry, Head, Division of Forensic Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Lucie Joncas  Lawyer and Member, Barreau du Québec
Dave Teixeira  President, Dave.ca Communications, As an Individual
André Samson  As an Individual
Nathalie Des Rosiers  General Counsel, Canadian Civil Liberties Association
Isabelle Malo  As an Individual
Ben Bedarf  As an Individual
Peter Coleridge  National Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Mental Health Association
Michel Surprenant  President, Association of Families of Persons Assassinated or Disappeared
Doris Provencher  General Director, Association des groupes d'intervention en défense de droits en santé mentale du Québec
Chloé Serradori  Analytical and Liaison Officer, Association des groupes d'intervention en défense de droits en santé mentale du Québec
Marc Ferdinand  National Director, Public Policy, Canadian Mental Health Association

6:55 p.m.

Conservative

Scott Armstrong Conservative Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS

I'm asking, if an accused is about to get out, do you support the fact that the victim can request that the accused not be in a specific place at a specific time? Would you give the victims at least that right?

6:55 p.m.

General Director, Association des groupes d'intervention en défense de droits en santé mentale du Québec

6:55 p.m.

Conservative

Scott Armstrong Conservative Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS

Okay, thank you, Mr. Chair.

6:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Mike Wallace

Thank you.

The last minute goes to Mr. Cotler from the Liberal Party.

6:55 p.m.

Liberal

Irwin Cotler Liberal Mount Royal, QC

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The question is for Mr. Coleridge and Mr. Ferdinand.

During these hearings we've heard from a number of people, both those who support the bill and those who oppose the bill. We've spoken of the importance of making preventive treatment available to individuals with severe mental health problems before they commit a violent act. Is there anything in this legislation that would facilitate such preventive treatment? Is there anything in the legislation that would make it easier for law enforcement personnel, for medical personnel, or the friends and family of an individual with a mental illness, to ensure that they receive such treatment?

6:55 p.m.

National Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Mental Health Association

Peter Coleridge

No, there is nothing in there related to that, and I wouldn't expect there to be because it's the Criminal Code and its issue is outside of that. That was one of my first points as well. The problems and challenges for many of the victims, which again are very heart-wrenching, will not be dealt with through these changes to the Criminal Code.

6:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Mike Wallace

Thank you to all of our witnesses. We have your submissions and testimony with us, so I want to thank you for coming today.

To the committee members, we'll be dealing with this again at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Hopefully, we will continue on until we finish clause-by-clause study sometime Wednesday evening.

Thanks very much.

With that, the meeting is adjourned.