Evidence of meeting #10 for Public Safety and National Security in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was amendment.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
4:45 p.m.
An hon. member
It's the second one in here.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
4:45 p.m.
An hon. member
That's what we need.
4:45 p.m.
An hon. member
Let's clarify this.
4:45 p.m.
Liberal
Ujjal Dosanjh Liberal Vancouver South, BC
This is the reworking of a proposal we had authored by the House counsel, and it's been reworked by the government. We should deal with it. I'm happy it can be dealt with now, and if there are some deficiencies we'll come to that. I'd like to change some things, but let's deal with this. I'm happy to proceed with this.
4:45 p.m.
Liberal
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Garry Breitkreuz
We work together on this committee. Let's not get too hung up on who is doing what. Part of the reason is all the working together people have done.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Garry Breitkreuz
It may look as if it's confusing, but somebody knows what's going on here.
Okay. Are you ready to introduce the amendment?
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Garry Breitkreuz
Actually, it should be introduced, first of all.
He's saying he's going to defer to you, so go ahead.
4:45 p.m.
Liberal
Ujjal Dosanjh Liberal Vancouver South, BC
Thank you.
The three pages have three different amendments, but they all work together. They're amending the provisions with respect to the special advocate. Under this, as I understand it, after hearing presentations from the permanent resident or the foreign national and the minister, and after giving particular consideration and weight to the preferences of the permanent resident or foreign national—obviously there will be an opportunity to be heard—the judge appoints the special advocate, if there seem to be no problems, such as those enumerated on the second page of this amendment.
I'm satisfied with that, because sometimes some individuals could refuse to appoint any one of the 20 special advocates who might be on the list, or might want to change every other day, or there might be conflicts and other problems, and the judges need that discretion. This clearly says that it's the preference of the detainee that has to be kept in mind while appointing. I think that's an important principle.
The problem I have is with the third page. We've heard presentations here from Mr. Waldman, Mr. Forcese, and others that we should have....
Sometimes there are unorthodox ways of working here.
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Garry Breitkreuz
You never know how legislation is made. It's worse than watching wieners being made.
4:50 p.m.
Some hon. members
Oh, oh!
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
Ujjal Dosanjh Liberal Vancouver South, BC
I would like to make that “that the Minister of Justice shall ensure that special advocates are adequately supported and resourced” rather than the current clause.
I have the French translation of that available as well. I can make that available to you.
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
