The first day of Senate hearings on C-10 was packed. Minister Toews and Nicholson were on the dock. Questions were easy and friendly from Conservatives and tougher from Liberals. Senators were extremely disappointed when they could only stay an hour. They were "called out" of the meetings exactly after one hour to attend a vote in the house. Senators wanted to know why both were here at the same time and why they couldn't have longer but Senator Wallace, the chair, kept a firm hand on the time.
Senator Nolan distributed the report from a Global Commission on Drug Policy with substantiating studies. He read from the report that "In Drug policies – principle #1 – must be based on solid empirical and scientific evidence to achieve the reduction of harm to individuals and society" and asked "Can you tell us if this principle is respected in the legislation?" His question was not answered except "our people do their research and consider everything." His submission was politely received but time was limited. He suggested that they bring the former Canadian Supreme Court Justice who was a part of that commission as a witness before the committee but I had the impression the 110 witnesses for these hearings have already been set.
The two ministers insisted throughout their time that the amendments are very targeted only at serious criminals and sex offenders and that all programs for rehabilitation, training, and reintegration into society are very important, still intact, and a priority. According to them, the absence of reference to thes programs in C-10 does not represent a lack of commitment in this area. The Staff representatives repeated this message.
The amendments relating to victims are designed to give them information victims have said they needed such as where their attackers are at any point in time, and to give them advance info on what they have been doing in jail for parole hearings.
From my seat I couldn't always see who was speaking. A Francophone, Male Senator proposed that there be a joint Federal Provincial task force to monitor the changing prison populations. Toews thought a good idea but he thought it already existed. He blamed the provinces for the high numbers of mentally ill persons in jail and said he had never charged them for the increase in expenses that their de-institutionalization had caused.
Gotta go. More hearings today.
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