Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (JUST)

The committee met twice this week. Pursuant to the Order of Reference of Thursday, 15 December, 2011, the committee resumed consideration of Bill C-26, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (citizen’s arrest and the defences of property and persons).

On Tuesday, March 6th, the committee heard from justice officials Catherine Kane and Joanne Klineberg. Joanne Klineberg spoke to the bill and addressed concerns raised by witnesses concerning provisions in the bill. The two officials then fielded questions from MPS.

On Thursday, March 8th, the committee commenced and completed its clause-by-clause study of the bill. Most amendments were either voted down or withdrawn after further scrutiny, although two NDP amendments and one Liberal amendment were surprisingly carried. After completion of the clause-by-clause study it was ordered that the Chair report the bill back to the House and that the bill as amended be reprinted for the use of the House at report stage.

To see which amendments were passed, see the minutes for the meeting.