Senate QP: Wilson-Raybould is very proud

Posted on by

This week’s Senate Question Period special guest star was justice minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, ready to talk about activities related to her portfolio. Senator Carignan led off asking about the lack of judicial appointments in the wake of the Supreme Court’s Jordan decision on reasonable delays for trials. Wilson-Raybould started off by defending the new application process for superior court justices across the country because of the need to diversify the judiciary and to better understand their backgrounds. She added that the vacancies were just one aspect of delays, and that they were looking at other aspects like bail reform and the shared responsibility of the administration of justice.

Senator Joyal stood up to hammer on about the number of accused whose charges were stayed in the wake of the Jordan decision, and that there was a brewing crisis that she seemed to be blind to. Wilson-Raybould stressed the need to act with the provinces and territories in a coordinated manner, and gave some platitudes about protecting rights and freedoms.

Senator Wallin asked about advanced directives for assisted dying laws, and the status of the pending study on the legislation. Wilson-Raybould first thanked the whole chamber for their thoughtful contributions to the debate on that bill, and then said that more details were coming in “the very near future.”

Senator Runciman asked why the government was recommending that his bill on bail reform not go forward, to which Wilson-Raybould said that she empathised with the situation, they were undertaking a broader review of the justice system that would include bail review, but noted that provinces had not asked for those changes in a recent report.

Senator Boisvenu asked about laws to go after pimps and a particular private member’s bill in the Commons. Wilson-Raybould said that they were serious about combatting human trafficking, and that she were working with officials to try and find better tools to combat the problem and they would make some announcements soon regarding that bill.

Senator Lovelace Nicholas asked about the allegations of sexual assault by police in Val-d’Or, Québec, and the lack of a proper inquiry into the matter, and wanted an independent commission into relations between police and First Nations. Wilson-Raybould said that the government recognised the reality of the situation in Val-d’Or, and praised the MMIW Inquiry, and that the Inquiry commission has the ability to look into the relationship with police if they so choose.

Senator Sinclair asked a question on behalf of Senator Pate, who wasn’t able to be present, and asked about implementing the recommendations from the Ashley Smith Inquiry, particularly around diverting those with mental health issues from the justice system. Wilson-Raybould said that she was working closely with the minister of public safety about the file, and that Goodale would be making announcements around administrative segregation in the near future. As for mental health and addiction and the justice system was the need to provide appropriate supports and treatment, and that it was a cross-government issue that they were working with cabinet-wide, so that they didn’t wind up in prisons.

Senator McIntyre asked about the plans to review mandatory minimum penalties, citing that recent Ontario case involving a fifteen year-old. Wilson-Raybould said that they supported the penalties in serious cases like murdered and high treason, but they would review all other penalties to ensure that they were meeting their stated intentions. She also noted her history as a Crown prosecutor in recognising the need for judicial discretion to ensure that individual circumstances were taken into account.

Senator Eggleton returned to the issue of segregation in prisons, and Wilson-Raybould reiterated that Minister Goodale would have an announcement soon.

Senator Gagné asked about access to justice in both official languages and an inventory of bilingual justices across the country, and Wilson-Raybould first praised the process put into place of the Supreme Court of Canada appointments, and noted that with the new judicial application process, there was room in there for bilingualism and they were looking to find a way to ensure that there were more bilingual judges across the country.

Overall, it wasn’t the most edifying Senate QP that we’ve had, and Wilson-Raybould certainly spent some time dissembling and speaking in platitudes rather than offering some timelines on issues being asked about, and was weirdly self-congratulatory in a number of her responses. Yes, she did offer a few responses that offered a few clues as to what is on her agenda, but for the most part, a vague fog surrounded it all.

Sartorially speaking, snaps go out to Senator Michael MacDonald for a black three-piece suit with a white shirt and red tie, and to Senator Lillian Eva Dyck for a white blouse with a ruffled cravat (which I normally dislike, but this one worked) with a red leather jacket with a banded collar and embroidered patterns down the lapels. Style citations go out to Senator Marie-Françoise Mégie for a gold windowpane jacket with a red turtleneck, and to Senator Paul McIntyre for a black suit with a light taupe shirt and a grey and taupe striped tie.

One thought on “Senate QP: Wilson-Raybould is very proud”

  1. I wonder why some Ministers give vague and opaque answers instead of enlightening Senators about what is going on. I am starting to believe that this Government is very light on its feet. Also some Ministers are incompetent like Wilson-Raybould, Chagger and Monsef. so much for equity.

Comments are closed.