JUST Committee Report

CHAIR’S FOREWORD

In February of this year, the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights received an Order of Reference from the House of Commons designating it as the proper body to undertake a statutory review of the mental disorder provisions of the Criminal Code.  Accordingly, the Committee sought the input of non-governmental organizations, provincial and territorial officials, boards of review and members of the public on the provisions and operation of the mental disorder measures adopted by Parliament in 1991.  We are pleased to report on the result of our hearings.

A review of this complexity could not have been completed without the collaboration of a great many dedicated and capable people who agreed to contribute to the Committee’s work.  On behalf of all members, I wish to thank all those who appeared before the Committee or submitted briefs; we are most grateful for the insightful comments and recommendations provided to us. A particular thanks must go to Ms. Catherine Kane, Mr. Doug Hoover and Grey Yost of the Department of Justice who provided the Committee with a detailed briefing as it prepared to undertake this study. 

I wish to extend a special thanks to the Honourable Justice Edward Ormston who generously welcomed members to observe his court in Toronto.  I also wish to thank the Honourable Justice Richard Schneider, Mr. Joe Wright, Ms. Anita Barnes, Dr. Derrick Palawdyi, Mr. Alan Trudeau and Ms. Joanne Dunlap for their comments and direction during the Committee’s visit to the court. 

Finally, a note of thanks to Committee staff: our research team, composed of Philip Rosen and Marilyn Pilon, contributed their expertise and writing skills to the task.  Our Committee clerks, Marie Danielle Vachon and Jean-Francois Pagé are to be thanked for their efficiency in ensuring that our work was conducted in a productive manner.  We are also very grateful for the assistance and support provided by the Committee’s Administrative Assistant, Adèle Levergneux.  To be warmly thanked as well are the interpreters, particularly Carole Savard and Hélène Regimbald, the editors, translators, console operators and others, and the staff of Publications Service, without whom our work could not have been accomplished.

Finally, I would also like to thank the members of the Committee from all parties who worked diligently on this report while attending to other important work of the Committee as well as their parliamentary duties.

The Honourable Andy Scott, P.C., M.P.

Chair