The committee met at 0900 in committee room 2.

Preventing Unethical Puppy Sales Act, 2024 Loi de 2024 sur la prévention de la vente de chiots contraire à l’éthique

Consideration of the following bill:

Bill 159, An Act to amend the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, 2019 / Projet de loi 159, Loi modifiant la Loi de 2019 sur les services provinciaux visant le bien-être des animaux.

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): Good morning, everyone. The Standing Committee on Justice Policy will now come to order. We are here to conduct clause-by-clause consideration of Bill 159, An Act to amend the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, 2019.

Please wait until I recognize you before starting to speak. As always, all comments should go through the Chair.

Are there any questions before I begin? MPP Fife.

Ms. Catherine Fife: Just a question regarding Lydia’s Law, Bill 189, that was deferred to this committee on May 14: I’m just wondering if you’ve received any direction or guidance from the House leader with regard to expediting that legislation.

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): At this point, no. I recommend you follow up.

Ms. Catherine Fife: Thank you very much.

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): Are there any comments or questions to any section or schedule of the bill, and if so, to which section?

We will now begin clause-by-clause consideration of the bill. There are no amendments to sections 1 and 2 of the bill. Does the committee agree to bundle them? Yes. Is there any debate on sections 1 and 2 of the bill? Shall sections 1 and 2 carry? All those in favour? All those opposed? I declare sections 1 and 2 carried.

Turning now to NDP motion number 1, who would like to move this motion? MPP Wong-Tam.

MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam: I move that section 2.1 be added to the bill:

“2.1 The act is amended by adding the following section:

“‘Sale of dogs and cats

“‘14.2 Any person who sells cats or dogs through a pet store or other point of sale shall ensure that they take all reasonable steps to ensure that the cats or dogs they sell are sourced from animal shelters.’”

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): Can you please repeat the title? Because you said “cats and dogs” instead of “dogs and cats.”

MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam: Oh, I did? “‘Sale of dogs and cats.’”

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): Thank you.

Is there any debate? MPP Dixon.

Ms. Jess Dixon: We’ll be opposing this motion, as we do have this authority under regulation and will already be working on using those regulations to set out conditions for the sale of dogs.

I also note that many municipalities across Ontario are currently doing this already, and we would be consulting with them to make sure we’re in compliance with what they’re doing.

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): MPP Wong-Tam?

MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam: Thank you to the member across. I appreciate the gesture and recognition that municipalities have been largely leading on this front. Obviously, they’re licensed businesses; they have the ability to control what goes in and out of those stores. But I think that because we have this particular bill before us, and the intention of the bill is to try to do everything it can to curb the sale of animals, especially those that are produced from puppy mills, this will go a long way in supplementing the work that the municipalities are doing, in addition to the fact that the sellers of these animals have multiple means of sale. That means online advertising—it could go in many other different forms. But many traditional pet stores have already started to move away from selling puppies and kittens in their stores, recognizing the public pressure that they would face.

I would say it’s almost a no-brainer for the government. It actually complements what the bill’s intention is.

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): Further debate? No? Are members prepared to vote?

MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam: Recorded vote.

Ayes

Mamakwa, Stevens, Wong-Tam.

Nays

Bouma, Coe, Dixon, McGregor, Riddell, Saunderson.

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): I declare the motion lost.

Turning now to section 3, we have government motion number 2. Who would like to move it? MPP Dixon.

Ms. Jess Dixon: I move that section 3 of the bill be struck out and the following substituted:

“3. The act is amended by adding the following section:

“‘Prohibited Sale and Transfer of Dog

“‘Prohibition against sale or transfer

“‘23.1(1) No person shall sell or transfer a dog contrary to the regulations, if any, made by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

“‘Definition, ‘transfer’

“‘(2) In this section, and in the regulations made for the purposes of this section, ‘transfer’ includes offer for transfer and expose for transfer, but does not include a gift.’”

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): Is there any debate?

Ms. Jess Dixon: This is to allow the prohibitions under section 23 to come into force on different times, and the intent is to prohibit the sale or transfer of dogs that’s not in keeping with the requirements relating to the sale and transfer that will be ultimately set out in regulation.

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): Further debate? Seeing none, are members prepared to vote? Shall government motion number 2 carry? All those in favour? All those opposed? I declare the motion carried.

Turning now to NDP motion number 3: Who would like to move that motion? MPP Wong-Tam.

MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam: I move that section 3 of the bill be amended by adding section 23.1.1 to the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, 2019:

“Standards of care

“23.1.1 Every person who owns or has custody of a dog for the purposes of breeding or selling the dog shall ensure that the following standards of care are met:

“1. The dog shall be provided adequate, safe and healthy food and water.

“2. The dog shall be provided adequate, safe and clean shelter.

“3. The dog shall be provided reasonable veterinary care.

“4. Any prescribed standards of care.”

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): With respect to NDP motion number 3, I’m ruling this amendment out of order as it is inconsistent with the previous decision the committee made on this section of the bill.

Turning now to NDP motion number 4: Who would like to move this motion? MPP Wong-Tam.

MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam: I move that section 3 of the bill be amended by adding section 23.3 to the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, 2019:

“Commercial dog breeder licence

“23.3(1) No person, other than a person operating an animal shelter, may be the owner or custodian of 15 or more dogs without holding a commercial dog breeder licence issued under this section.

“Application

“(2) A person who wishes to receive a commercial dog breeder licence shall apply to the minister in accordance with the prescribed procedures.

“Issuance

“(3) The minister shall issue a commercial dog breeder licence to an applicant who applies in accordance with the prescribed procedures unless the applicant does not meet the prescribed standards and qualifications.

“Revocation

“(4) The minister shall revoke a commercial dog breeder licence if the holder of the licence,

“(a) keeps more than 25 dogs on a single premises at one time;

“(b) fails to comply with any standards, including any standards of care, requirements or conditions set out in this part; or

“(c) fails to comply with any prescribed requirements or conditions.

“Calculation

“(5) Dogs less than six months old born to a dog kept on the same premises are excluded from the calculation of the number of dogs for the purposes of this section.”

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): With respect to NDP motion number 4, I am ruling this amendment out of order as it is inconsistent with the previous decision the committee made on this section of the bill.

Shall section 3, as amended, carry? All those in favour? All those opposed? I declare section 3, as amended, carried.

Mr. Will Bouma: If we just say “carried,” we can speak quickly.

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): Pardon me?

Mr. Will Bouma: If I may, through you, Chair, if everyone just says “carried”—

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): It has to be a vote; that’s why it’s “All those in favour.”

We have a new section, so government motion number 5. Who would like to move this motion? MPP Dixon.

Ms. Jess Dixon: I move that section 3.1 be added to the bill:

“3.1(1) The act is amended by adding the following section:

“‘Operation of Puppy Mills

“‘Prohibition, operation of puppy mills

“‘23.2(1) No person shall operate a puppy mill.

“‘Operating a puppy mill

“‘(2) For the purposes of this section and section 23.3, a person operates a puppy mill if the person breeds dogs and does any of the following:

“‘1. Failing to take appropriate action to address any severe matting, visible parasites or emaciation in each dog.

“‘2. Failing to isolate a dog from other dogs or animals, including failing to ensure there is no contact with objects, including food and water containers, that are used by other dogs or animals, where there are reasonable grounds to believe that the dog is suffering from a contagious disease or is at high risk of developing a contagious disease, except in such circumstances as may be prescribed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

“‘3. Failing to ensure that each dog’s environment is,

“‘i. kept sufficiently clean as to ensure that the dog is not required to stand, sit or lie down in excrement, urine, mud or water, and

“‘ii. cleaned as frequently as necessary, using cleaning products that do not pose a risk to the dog, to prevent an accumulation of excrement, urine or other waste that would pose a risk to the dog’s health, to maintain a sanitary environment, to minimize the presence of parasites and to ensure the health of the dog.

“‘Separate offences

“‘(3) Each contravention of a paragraph of subsection (2) is deemed to constitute a separate offence of operating a puppy mill.’

“(2) Subsection 23.2(2) of the act, as enacted by subsection (1), is amended by adding the following paragraph:

“‘4. Breeding a female dog that is less than 12 months old, except in such circumstances as may be prescribed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.’

“(3) Subsection 23.2(2) of the act, as enacted by subsection (1), is amended by adding the following paragraph:

“‘5. Breeding a female dog for the first time before its second heat, except in such circumstances as may be prescribed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.’

“(4) Subsection 23.2(2) of the act, as enacted by subsection (1), is amended by adding the following paragraph:

“‘6. Breeding a parent dog with any dog in one of their litters, except in such circumstances as may be prescribed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.’

“(5) Subsection 23.2(2) of the act, as enacted by subsection (1), is amended by adding the following paragraph:

“‘7. Breeding dogs that are siblings from the same parent dog, except in such circumstances as may be prescribed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.’

“(6) Subsection 23.2(2) of the act, as enacted by subsection (1), is amended by adding the following paragraph:

“‘8. Separating a puppy from its mother or substitute mother before the age of 56 days, except in such circumstances as may be prescribed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.’

“(7) Subsection 23.2(2) of the act, as enacted by subsection (1), is amended by adding the following paragraph:

“‘9. Doing anything that is prescribed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council for the purposes of this provision.’”

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): Is there any debate? MPP Dixon.

Ms. Jess Dixon: The intent of this amendment is to set out specific circumstances that would constitute operating a puppy mill, and also, of course, to prohibit—and a breach of any one of these prohibitions or more will constitute a separate offence. The timing will allow the prohibitions to come into force as appropriate. This is directed at targeting bad actors who are failing to take action to address the obvious concerns that we have heard about in committee.

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): MPP Wong-Tam.

MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam: We are very much in support of this motion. It goes a long way in helping prescribe more detailed activities of what is acceptable and not. I just point out, Chair, that this would have complemented our previous motion, motion number 3, which was ruled out of order, and I note that this was not.

0910

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): When a motion is ruled out of order, that comes from the Clerks of the Legislature.

As I explained, that amendment was ruled out of order because it was inconsistent with a previous decision that the committee had made on that particular section of the bill. Your motion related to section 2 of the bill. This is a motion to create a new section, section 3.1—so that’s why your motion was ruled out of order. So, I appreciate that, but this is explanation from the Legislative Assembly. It is not a partisan explanation.

Is there any further debate? Seeing none, are members prepared to vote? All those in favour, please raise your hands. All those opposed? I declare the motion carried.

Turning now to government motion number 6. Who would like to move this motion? MPP Dixon.

Ms. Jess Dixon: I move that section 3.2 be added to the bill:

“3.2(1) The act is amended by adding the following section:

“‘Prohibition, encouraging, etc. operation of puppy mill

“‘23.3(1) No person shall encourage, promote, arrange, assist in, receive a financial or material benefit for or take part in supporting the operation of a puppy mill, including but not limited to the following:

“‘1. Providing a dog for the purposes of breeding to a person who is operating a puppy mill.

“‘2. Making available for use by a person a premises at which the person is operating a puppy mill.

“‘3. Doing anything that is prescribed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council for the purposes of this provision.

“‘Exception

“‘(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of the provision by a veterinarian of veterinary care to a dog or the boarding of a dog by a veterinarian as part of the dog’s care.’

“(2) Subsection 23.3(1) of the act, as enacted by subsection (1), is amended by adding the following paragraph:

“‘4. Facilitating the sale or transfer to any person of a dog from a premises at which a person is operating a puppy mill, except as prescribed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council for the purposes of this paragraph.’”

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): Is there any debate? MPP Dixon.

Ms. Jess Dixon: This amendment is largely in response to what we heard about brokers at committee and addressing that behaviour.

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): Further debate? Are members prepared to vote? Shall government motion number 6 carry? All those in favour? All those opposed? I declare government motion number 6 carried.

Turning now to section 4, we have government motion number 7. MPP Dixon.

Ms. Jess Dixon: I move that section 4 of the bill be struck out and the following substituted:

“4.(1) Subsection 24(1) of the act is amended by adding the following clause:

“‘(a.1) a prohibition under section 23.2 or 23.3;’”

“(2) Clause 24(1)(a.1) of the act, as enacted by subsection (1), is amended by striking out “‘section 23.2 or 23.3’” at the end and substituting “‘section 23.1, 23.2 or 23.3’”.”

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): Is there any debate? MPP Dixon.

Ms. Jess Dixon: This motion is essentially just to bring it in compliance with other motions made in relation to these amendments.

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): Further debate? Are members prepared to vote? Shall government motion number 7 carry? All those in favour? All those opposed? I declare government motion number 7 carried.

Turning now to NDP motion number 8. Who would like to move this motion? MPP Wong-Tam.

MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam: This motion was a technical amendment from our side, largely if motion number 3 that we put forward would have passed, so at this point in time, I would just withdraw this motion.

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): Thank you.

Is there any further debate on section 4, as amended? Shall section 4, as amended, carry? All those in favour? All those opposed? I declare section 4, as amended, carried.

There are no amendments to section 5. Shall section 5 carry? All those in favour? All those opposed? I declare section 5 carried.

Turning now to section 6, we have government motion number 9. MPP Dixon.

Ms. Jess Dixon: I move that subsection 6(2) of the bill be struck out and the following substituted:

“(2) Section 35 of the act is amended by adding the following subsection:

“‘Application of ss. 11.1.1, 11.1.2 and 11.1.4 of Ministry of Revenue Act

“‘(6.1) For the purposes of subsection (6), the Minister of Finance may take one or more of the measures described in section 11.1.1, 11.1.2 or 11.1.4 of the Ministry of Revenue Act to enforce the collection of the debt if the minister, as defined in subsection 1(1) of this act, has entered into a memorandum of understanding under section 11.1 of the Ministry of Revenue Act for the Minister of Finance to provide collection services to the ministry and to enforce the collection of the debt.’”

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): Is there any debate? MPP Dixon.

Ms. Jess Dixon: This is simply to make it clear who is authorized to take steps under the Ministry of Revenue Act to do the debt collection.

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): Further debate? Are members prepared to vote? All those in favour, please raise your hands. All those opposed? I declare government motion number 9 carried.

Shall section 6, as amended, carry? All those in favour? All those opposed? I declare section 6, as amended, carried.

Turning now to section 7: We have government motion number 10. MPP Dixon.

Ms. Jess Dixon: I move that subsection 7(2) of the bill be struck out and the following substituted:

“(2) Subsection 49(2) of the act is repealed and the following substituted:

“‘Major offences

“‘(2) Every person is guilty of an offence who contravenes any of the following:

“‘1. Subsection 15(1) (Causing distress).

“‘2. Subsection 15(2) (Permitting distress).

“‘3. Section 16 (Animal fighting prohibitions).

“‘4. Section 17 (Harming law enforcement or service animal).

“‘5. Section 18 (Prohibited animal possession or breeding).

“‘6. Section 19 (Prohibition on orca possession and breeding).

“‘7. Section 23.2 (Operation of puppy mills).

“‘8. Section 23.3 (Prohibition, encouraging, etc.).’”

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): Is there any debate? MPP Dixon.

Ms. Jess Dixon: This is simply to make sure that our new offences are captured as major offences under the PAWS Act, as written.

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): Further debate? Are members prepared to vote? All those in favour, please raise your hands. All those opposed? I declare government motion number 10 carried.

Turning now to NDP motion 11: Would you like to move this motion or withdraw it?

MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam: It was also another technical amendment, should our motion number 4 have passed. So at this point in time, I would just withdraw this motion.

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): Thank you.

Turning now to government motion number 12. Who would like to move this motion? MPP Dixon.

Ms. Jess Dixon: I move that section 7 of the bill be amended by adding the following subsection:

“(2.1) Subsection 49(2) of the act, as re-enacted by subsection (2), is amended by adding the following paragraph:

“‘6.1 Section 23.1 (Prohibition against sale or transfer).’”

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): Is there any debate? MPP Dixon.

Ms. Jess Dixon: This is, again, simply moving it, making sure it’s categorized as a major offence.

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): Further debate? Are members prepared to vote? Shall government motion number 12 carry? All those in favour? All those opposed? I declare government motion number 12 carried.

Turning now to government motion number 13: MPP Dixon?

Ms. Jess Dixon: I move that section 7 of the bill be amended by adding the following subsection:

“(2.2) Paragraphs 1 and 2 of subsection 49(7) of the act are repealed and the following substituted:

“‘1. Causing an animal to be in distress in contravention of subsection 15(1), if the conduct that caused the distress satisfies one of the following:

“‘i. The conduct resulted in,

“‘A. the death of the animal, or

“‘B. the euthanization of the animal after a veterinarian determines it is the most humane course of action.

“‘ii. If the animal is a dog and the conduct did not result in one of the outcomes described in sub-subparagraph 1 i A or B,

“‘A. the conduct occurred as a result of the person owning or having custody of dogs for purposes that include breeding or selling them or their offspring, or

“‘B. the conduct occurred at a premises at which, at the time of the contravention, the person owned or had custody of dogs for purposes that included breeding or selling them or their offspring.

“‘2. Permitting an animal to be in distress in contravention of subsection 15(2), if the conduct or omission satisfies one of the following:

“‘i. The conduct or omission resulted in,

“‘A. the death of the animal, or

“‘B. the euthanization of the animal after a veterinarian determines it is the most humane course of action.

“‘ii. If the animal is a dog and the conduct or omission did not result in one of the outcomes’”—

Interjections.

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): Sorry, one moment.

Gentlemen, if I can hear you whispering, you’re whispering too loud.

Mr. Brian Riddell: I apologize.

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): Thank you.

MPP Dixon, please continue.

Ms. Jess Dixon: “‘ii. If the animal is a dog and the conduct or omission did not result in one of the outcomes described in sub-subparagraph 1 i A or B,

“‘A. the conduct or omission occurred as a result of the person owning or having custody of dogs for purposes that include breeding or selling them or their offspring, or

“‘B. the conduct or omission occurred at a premises at which, at the time of the contravention, the person owned or had custody of dogs for purposes that included breeding or selling them or their offspring.

“‘2.1 Knowingly or recklessly causing a dog to be exposed to an undue risk of distress in contravention of subsection 15(3), if the knowing or reckless conduct,

“‘i. occurred as a result of the person owning or having custody of dogs for purposes that include breeding or selling them or their offspring, or

“‘ii. occurred at a premises at which, at the time of the contravention, the person owned or had custody of dogs for purposes that included breeding or selling them or their offspring.’”

0920

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): Is there any debate?

Ms. Jess Dixon: What this does is provide an alternate path to conviction. Right now, distress offences in PAWS only result in a minimum penalty if death occurs. This elevates it to include the circumstances I described.

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): Further debate? Are members prepared to vote? Shall government motion number 13 carry? All those in favour? All those opposed? I declare the motion carried.

Turning now to government motion number 14: MPP Dixon.

Ms. Jess Dixon: I move that section 7 of the bill be amended by adding the following subsection:

“(4) Section 49 of the act is amended by adding the following subsection:

“‘Minimum penalties, s. 23.3

“‘(7.3) The minimum penalty for contravening section 23.3 is $10,000.’”

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): Is there any debate?

Ms. Jess Dixon: It’s self-explanatory: adding a mandatory minimum penalty.

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): Further debate? Are members prepared to vote? Shall government motion number 14 carry? All those in favour? All those opposed? I declare government motion number 14 carried.

Shall section 7, as amended, carry? All those in favour? All those opposed? I declare section 7, as amended, carried.

Turning now to section 8, we have government motion number 15. MPP Dixon.

Ms. Jess Dixon: I move that section 8 of the bill be struck out and the following substituted:

“8. Section 53 of the act is amended by adding the following subsection:

“‘Application of ss. 11.1.1, 11.1.2 and 11.1.4 of Ministry of Revenue Act

“‘(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the Minister of Finance may take one or more of the measures described in section 11.1.1, 11.1.2 or 11.1.4 of the Ministry of Revenue Act to enforce the collection of the debt if the minister, as defined in subsection 1(1) of the act, has entered into a memorandum of understanding under section 11.1 of the Ministry of Revenue Act for the Minister of Finance to provide collection services to the ministry and to enforce the collection of the debt.’”

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): Is there any debate?

Ms. Jess Dixon: It’s clarifying, again, who is authorized to take steps under the Ministry of Revenue Act.

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): Further debate? All those in favour, please raise your hands. All those opposed? I declare government motion number 15 carried.

Shall section 8, as amended, carry? All those in favour? All those opposed? I declare section 8, as amended, carried.

Turning now to section 9, we have government motion number 16. MPP Dixon.

Ms. Jess Dixon: I move that section 9 of the bill be struck out and the following substituted:

“9. (1) Subsection 69(1) of the act is amended by adding the following clause:

“‘(e.1) governing the keeping of records for the purposes of section 14.1;’

“(2) Subsection 69(1) of the act is amended by adding the following clause:

“‘(j.1) for the purposes of section 23.1, governing any aspect of the sale or transfer of a dog including, but not limited to,

“‘(i) prohibiting sales and transfers under certain circumstances,

“‘(ii) governing the manner and conditions of sale or transfer,

“‘(iii) governing the return of a dog that has been purchased or transferred and the refund of any payment,

“‘(iv) prescribing measures to protect the health, welfare and care of dogs that are sold or transferred,

“‘(v) prescribing measures to protect the health, welfare and care of other animals that may be affected by a sale or transfer,

“‘(vi) prescribing measures to protect the interests of purchasers and transferees,

“‘(vii) governing requirements for the identification of dogs before sale or transfer;’

“(3) Subsection 69(1) of the act is amended by adding the following clause:

“‘(j.2) prescribing circumstances that constitute operating a puppy mill for the purposes of paragraph 9 of subsection 23.2(2);’

“(4) Subsection 69(1) of the act is amended by adding the following clause:

“‘(j.3) prescribing actions for the purposes of paragraph 4 of section 23.3;’”

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): Is there any debate?

Ms. Jess Dixon: The intent of this amendment is to ensure that we have regulation-making powers in place for the necessary sections of the act.

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): Further debate? Are members prepared to vote? Shall government motion number 16 carry? All those in favour? All those opposed? I declare government motion number 16 carried.

Shall section 9, as amended, carry? All those in favour? All those opposed? I declare section 9, as amended, carried.

Turning now to government motion number 17: MPP Dixon.

Ms. Jess Dixon: I move that section 10 of the bill be struck out and the following substituted:

“Commencement

“10. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, this act comes into force on the day it receives royal assent.

“(2) Sections 2 and 3, subsections 3.1(2) to (7), 3.2(2), 4(2), 7(1) and (2.1) and section 9 come into force on a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor.

“(3) Sections 6 and 8 come into force on the later of the day subsection 8(1) of schedule 6 to the Strengthening Safety and Modernizing Justice Act, 2023 comes into force and the day this act receives royal assent.”

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): Is there any debate? MPP Dixon.

Ms. Jess Dixon: It’s just to outline the enforced timing for the sections of this act.

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): Further debate? MPP Wong-Tam.

MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam: I just want to thank member Dixon for all her exceptional and hard work.

Clearly, there were a lot of requirements and amendments in the legislation, which I think is only a testament to the speakers who came before us in this committee, who enriched our opportunity to make the law. It also probably cites that the government needed to front-load some of the consultation before coming forward with the bill.

Nevertheless, we’re in a much better place than we started, and I’m grateful for everyone’s participation and leadership there.

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): Further debate? MPP Saunderson.

Mr. Brian Saunderson: I think we just saw committee in action work very well, so I think the process was excellent.

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): Further debate? Are members prepared to vote? Shall government motion number 17 carry? All those in favour? All those opposed? I declare government motion number 17 carried.

Shall section 10, as amended, carry? All those in favour? All those opposed? I declare section 10, as amended, carried.

Section 11, the short title: Shall it carry? All those in favour? All those opposed? I declare the short title, section 11, carried.

Shall the title of the bill carry? All those in favour? All those opposed? I declare the title of the bill carried.

Shall Bill 159, as amended, carry? All those in favour? All those opposed? I declare Bill 159, as amended, carried.

Shall I report the bill to the House? All those in favour? All those opposed? I shall report the bill to the House.

Thank you, everyone, for your participation today. That concludes further committee business. There being no further business in this committee, it now stands adjourned until June 12, at 1 p.m.—

Interjection.

The Chair (Ms. Goldie Ghamari): May the force be with you.

The committee adjourned at 0931.

STANDING COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE POLICY

Chair / Présidente

Ms. Goldie Ghamari (Carleton PC)

Vice-Chair / Vice-Président

Mr. Sol Mamakwa (Kiiwetinoong ND)

Mr. Will Bouma (Brantford–Brant PC)

Mr. Lorne Coe (Whitby PC)

Ms. Jess Dixon (Kitchener South–Hespeler / Kitchener-Sud–Hespeler PC)

Ms. Goldie Ghamari (Carleton PC)

Mr. Sol Mamakwa (Kiiwetinoong ND)

Mr. Michael Mantha (Algoma–Manitoulin IND)

Mr. Graham McGregor (Brampton North / Brampton-Nord PC)

Mr. Brian Riddell (Cambridge PC)

Mr. Brian Saunderson (Simcoe–Grey PC)

MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam (Toronto Centre / Toronto-Centre ND)

Also taking part / Autres participants et participantes

Ms. Catherine Fife (Waterloo ND)

Mrs. Jennifer (Jennie) Stevens (St. Catharines ND)

Clerk / Greffière

Ms. Thushitha Kobikrishna

Staff / Personnel

Ms. Tara Partington, legislative counsel