Evidence of meeting #86 for Justice and Human Rights in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was shall.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Lena Metlege Diab
Okay.
We'll now vote on the subamendment.
(Subamendment negatived)
We're now going back to the amendment, which is G-1.
Having no one raising their hand to speak on it, shall G-1 carry?
(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
We will now go to CPC-2, moved by Mr. Moore.
Is there any debate? Does anybody wish to speak on it?
Liberal
November 30th, 2023 / 4:15 p.m.
Conservative
Rob Moore Conservative Fundy Royal, NB
What this amendment does is provide a definition of “first responder”, similar to how there was a definition of health care providers. It reads:
...a person who is employed, or formally engaged on a volunteer basis, to be among the first on the scene of an accident, fire or other emergency to provide medical assistance or firefighting services, and includes an emergency medical technician, a paramedic and a firefighter.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Lena Metlege Diab
Is there any further debate or are there questions for our officials?
Mr. Housefather, go ahead.
Liberal
Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I just have a question for the officials with respect to the new proposed definition. In my view, including a definition is sometimes good and provides clarity, and sometimes it may unduly restrict what the intention of the bill is.
Could I ask the officials if they believe the proposed definition restricts who may be considered as a first responder or actually brings context that's important to the bill?
Leah Burt Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section, Department of Justice
Thank you for the question.
I think when we're looking at defining terms in the Criminal Code, it can be useful, but it's important to consider which person and activities are going to be captured in order to ensure that it doesn't inadvertently exclude certain groups that were intended to be captured by the bill. It's also important to ensure that terms are internally consistent within the code. “First responder” isn't defined elsewhere in the code, so that's not an issue.
I would just say that the wording.... I should say we don't actually have CPC-2. All we have is CPC-1. My understanding is that the definition of first responders is the same. I have that wording in front of me. I don't have the new one.
Liberal
James Maloney Liberal Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON
I think it's the same. That's the source of my confusion.
Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section, Department of Justice
That's perfect. Thank you.
I guess it's a question of what is intended to be captured by the bill. If the intention is to capture first responders and medical personnel, such as firefighters and paramedics, then it seems like this definition would capture that. There are, of course, other categories of personnel who are in some circumstances considered first responders but may not be captured by this definition, such as correctional officers, probation officers and military personnel.
Also, I think this definition is specific to the provision of medical assistance or firefighting services. For example, in a correctional facility, would a correctional officer who's responding to an emergency that's not a medical emergency be captured by this definition? Possibly not. I guess it's really a question of what's intended to be captured by the bill.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Lena Metlege Diab
Thank you. I think that is very helpful.
Seeing no other hands raised, shall CPC-2 carry?
(Amendment negatived: nays 6; yeas 5 [See Minutes of Proceedings])
(Clause 1 as amended agreed to)
On the preamble, we have amendment G-2. Does the member wish to move it?
Mr. Maloney moves it. Thank you.
Shall G-2 carry?
(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
Shall the preamble carry as amended?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Lena Metlege Diab
We're now on the title. Mr. Maloney moves G-3. Thank you.
Shall G-3 carry?
(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings)
Shall the title carry as amended?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Lena Metlege Diab
The title as amended is hereby carried.
Shall the bill as amended carry?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Lena Metlege Diab
Yes, I like that. Thank you very much.
Shall the chair report the bill as amended to the House?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Lena Metlege Diab
Thank you. We'll do so.
Shall the committee order a reprint of the bill as amended for the use of the House at report stage?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Lena Metlege Diab
Perfect. Thank you very much.
Clause-by-clause is done, but please do not leave.
Colleagues, we've been informed that the minister is available on Thursday, December 7 for our study of the supplementary estimates. Is this agreeable? I guess it's agreeable; that was the motion.
That would leave us with having the clause-by-clause study of Bill C-40 next meeting, Tuesday, December 5.
Here's the question. If we go with this date, we would have to adopt a motion to establish the deadline to submit amendments to the clerk of the committee as tomorrow at noon. Are committee members okay with that notice? If you are, we leave things as they are. If you are not, there is an alternative—just so that you know what the alternative is. There's an A and a B and one of the two must be picked.
If you would prefer to have more time for submitting amendments for Bill C-40, the alternative is the following. On December 5, we would deal with some motions that have been on our motions log for a while. We would then do the study on supplementary estimates on December 7 and push the clause-by-clause study of Bill C-40 to Tuesday, December 12, which would give us a deadline for amendments of Friday, December 8 at noon for Bill C-40.
I am in the hands of committee members to all unanimously agree on one of the two options.
Mr. Moore.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Lena Metlege Diab
That's fabulous, team. Thank you very much.
Before you leave, I need a motion that, in relation to the clause-by-clause study of Bill C-40 on Thursday, December 7, the deadline to submit amendments is tomorrow, Friday, December 1, at noon.
Can I please have a mover for that motion?
Mr. Van Popta, thank you very much.
Are all in agreement?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Lena Metlege Diab
Thank you so much. Everybody, have a lovely evening and a lovely weekend.