Crime bill changes expected to be made in Senate
Liberal changes rejected at committee resurfaced as government amendments at report stage
CBC News
December 1, 2011
The Conservatives aren’t interested in recalling the justice committee to reform its omnibus crime bill and will likely try and do it in the Senate, Liberal MP Irwin Cotler said Thursday.
Cotler said he spoke to Justice Minister Rob Nicholson, Public Safety Minister Vic Toews and House leader Peter Van Loan on Wednesday about what steps to take next following the government’s failed attempt to amend the Safe Streets and Communities Act on Tuesday.
He said three options were discussed: introducing the amendments later as separate piece of legislation; introducing the amendments in the Senate; reconvening the committee to deal with the bill again.
“That third option, they told me, was not on the table,” Cotler said. “I left yesterday understanding from the House leader … that they were going to move it in the Senate,” he said. Cotler said that option isn’t preferable because it shows disrespect for House of Commons procedure, but he said the legislation does need the amendments.
PN 
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