JUST Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 71

Thursday, May 17, 2007

The Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights met at 9:00 a.m. this day, in Room 269, West Block, the Chair, Art Hanger, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Hon. Larry Bagnell, Rick Dykstra, Art Hanger, Hon. Marlene Jennings, Réal Ménard, Rob Moore, Daniel Petit and Myron Thompson.

Acting Members present: Hon. Dominic LeBlanc for Brian Murphy, Marc Lemay for Carole Freeman and Yasmin Ratansi for Derek Lee.

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Robin MacKay, Analyst ; Dominique Valiquet, Analyst.

Witnesses: Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions: Brian Saunders, Acting Director of Public Prosecutions; Chantal Proulx, Acting Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions; Marc Fortin, General Counsel and Director, Corporate Services Division.

Pursuant to Standing Order 81(4), the Committee resumed consideration of the Main Estimates 2007-2008: Vote 35 under JUSTICE (Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions) referred to the Committee on Tuesday, February 27, 2007.

Brian Saunders made a statement and, with the other witnesses, answered questions.

At 10:14 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 10:16 a.m., the sitting resumed.

The Committee proceeded to the consideration of matters related to Committee business.

Marlene Jennings moved, — Whereas public concerns have been raised with regards to section 462.34 (4) of the Criminal Code (Application for review of special warrants and restraint orders);

Whereas section 462.34 can by judicial order allow alleged criminals to pay their lawyers out of money seized from them by police;

Whereas this practice is not regulated by clear criteria;

Whereas there has been little public scrutiny of this practice.

It is therefore proposed that:

1. The House of Commons Standing Committee of Justice and Human Rights study section 462.34 of the Criminal Code and its application, this after its study of Bill C-23 comes to a close;

2. That the Committee dedicate at least one (1) session to this study;

3. That the Chair of the Committee report its findings to the House.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

At 10:21 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Diane Diotte
Clerk of the Committee

2007/05/17 3:02 p.m.