Senate QP: Jody Wilson-Raybould is still so proud

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After the day’s repetitive QP in the Other Place, the justice minister, Jody Wilson-Raybould headed down the hall for Senate Question Period. Senator Larry Smith was up first, asking about the decision-making process to approve only one THC testing device, which many police forces are opting not to buy. Wilson-Raybould replied that they had expertise from the Canadian Society of Forensic Scientists, and that while it was the first device approved, it was not the only tool that law enforcement officers have, which was why they invested in field training for drug detection. Smith asked if there were other devices on the way, and Wilson-Raybould offered the backgrounder on the one approved device and said that she was open to approving others as they are tested.

Senator Batters asked about the UN’s problems with Canadian cannabis legalisation, and took some digs at the Security Council seat vote. Wilson-Raybould went through the well-worn talking points about why they chose to go the legalisation route, and the fact that they’ve been open with their international counterparts and their rationale, and that there has been interest from other countries interested in Canada’s experience. 

Senator Mercer asked about the legal framework around the charitable sector, which was outlined on her mandate letter, and Wilson-Raybould said that she was working with her ministerial counterparts and offered departmental materials to be forwarded to them.

Senator Wetston asked about developing criteria for use of the Notwithstanding Clause, and Wilson-Raybould offered some kind words for the Charter, and said it was unfortunate that Ontario raised it, but said that they have considered its usage and the frequency of its usage, which is why it should only be used as a last resort.

Senator Cormier asked about the expectations the government created within the LGBT community for offences that are applied in a discriminatory manner. Wilson-Raybould said she hoped that Bill C-75 would move quickly through the process, and said they were still consulting on the expungement of other records.

Senator Boisvenu asked about the year it took to fill the Victims of Crime ombudsman position, and wondered why the Ombudsman wasn’t made an Officer of Parliament. Wilson-Raybould said she was pleased to announce the new ombudsman, and spoke at some length about balancing the rights of victims and the accused.

Senator Dagenais returned to the issue of the cannabis testing device, and Wilson-Raybould disagreed with how the Senator characterised the legislation, and insisted that she would ensure that all tools were being used to ensure that fewer lives would be lost on the road.

Senator McPhedran asked about the Indigenous rights framework that the Attorney General posted, and the concerns of Indigenous leaders that need to be addressed. Wilson-Raybould said that it was part of a longer discussion, and while this was part of Minister Bennett’s responsibilities, and for her part, a properly done framework means self-government and rebuilt First Nations, and she was looking to ensure that there was a binding legislative recognition of those rights.

Senator Carignan returned to the issue of those drug testing devices and the fact that there are about 2300 fewer drug recognition officers than were promised. Wilson-Raybould reiterated on the expertise they relied on for the approval of the device.

Senator Pate wondered about the promise to eliminate most mandatory minimum penalties, to which Wilson-Raybould said that she has been clear that she believes they are appropriate for the most serious crimes but there are a number of other places where they need to continue to do work on them, and to engage with actors in the criminal justice system. She added that she is committed to sentencing reform, but wanted to ensure that they get it right.

Senator Gagné asked about the delays related to the Court Challenges Programme, and Wilson-Raybould said that it was under the auspices of the minister of heritage, but she didn’t have a date for when it would be implemented, but promised to get her an answer.

Overall, I will note that Wilson-Raybould continued her unbroken streak of being “so proud” of her work and that of this government in pretty much all of her answers, so that’s one for consistency. She managed to be fairly concise in her responses – unlike some of her Cabinet colleagues – which allowed for a lot more questions, but that said, many of them were pretty repetitive. I was expecting far more questions on judicial appointments and post-Jordan issues of delays in the criminal justice system, but we didn’t get any, so that was a bit of a surprise for me. My other observation is that with all of the things left on her plate with a year to go before an election, it’s going to be hard for her to accomplish them all, particularly sentencing reform.

Sartorially speaking, snaps go out to Senator David Wells for a tailored black suit with crisp white shirt and a red tie, and to Senator Linda Frum for a black suit with an eggplant v-necked top. Style citations go out to Senator Yonah Martin for a black dress with huge blue and yellow florals with a black jacket, and to Senator Fabian Manning for a charcoal suit with a pinkish-orange shirt and burgundy tie.