Bill C-16 explained in plain English

This artifact details a Senate sitting where Bill C-16, an Act to amend the National Defence Act concerning military judges, was introduced and given first reading. The majority of the sitting involved discussions on various other topics, including statements on public safety, economic growth in Nunavut, a tribute to Claire Martin, and extensive debate on Bill C-18 concerning the Canadian Wheat Board. The introduction of Bill C-16 itself was a brief procedural event.

During the second reading debate of Bill C-16, an Act to amend the National Defence Act (military judges), Members of Parliament discussed the need to ensure the independence and proper functioning of the military justice system. The debate focused on a recent court decision that found the current five-year renewable term for military judges unconstitutional, requiring Parliament to pass remedial legislation by December 2, 2011. The bill proposes to grant military judges security of tenure until the age of 60. The discussion also touched on the interplay between military hierarchy and judicial independence, the history of previous attempts to amend the National Defence Act, and the importance of aligning military justice with Canadian values and civilian legal standards. A procedural dispute arose regarding the government's refusal to allow statements on Remembrance Day, which led to a blockage of a motion to expedite the bill's passage.

During the second reading debate of Bill C-16, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence spoke in support of the bill, emphasizing its necessity for the proper functioning of the military justice system. He explained that the bill addresses a court ruling that found the current appointment process for military judges to be unconstitutional, as it did not sufficiently guarantee judicial independence. The ruling required Parliament to pass amending legislation within six months. The parliamentary secretary highlighted that this issue had been raised in previous Parliaments and that the bill aimed to provide military judges with security of tenure until age 60. He also noted that the bill, along with Bill C-15, represented a comprehensive response to recommendations for modernizing the military justice system. Other members from the NDP and Liberal parties also spoke, generally agreeing with the bill's objectives but raising concerns about procedural matters and the government's handling of the legislative agenda.

During a House of Commons debate on Bill C-16, An Act to amend the National Defence Act (military judges), the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence spoke in support of the bill. The debate focused on the need to ensure the independence of military judges, which had been challenged by a court decision. The bill proposed to grant military judges security of tenure until age 60. Opposition members also spoke, with discussions touching on the bill's passage, the importance of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and procedural matters related to other House business. The debate included exchanges about the government's handling of the bill and the process for its advancement.

This document is a record of a debate in the House of Commons on Bill C-16, concerning the security of tenure for military judges. The debate focused on the need to align military justice with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, specifically regarding judicial independence. Members discussed the implications of a recent court decision (Regina v. Leblanc) that found the current five-year renewable appointment for military judges unconstitutional. The proposed solution in Bill C-16 was to grant military judges security of tenure until the age of 60. There was also discussion about a procedural disagreement related to Remembrance Day statements which led to a delay in expediting the bill. The bill was ultimately read a second time and referred to committee.

This document is a record of a sitting of the House of Commons on November 15, 2011. It details routine proceedings where new bills were introduced, committee reports were presented, and discussions took place on various government and private members' business. Specifically, it includes the presentation of the first report of the Standing Committee on National Defence regarding Bill C-16, An Act to amend the National Defence Act (military judges), which was reported back to the House without amendment. The majority of the sitting was dedicated to the debate of Bill C-13, An Act to implement certain provisions of the 2011 budget as updated on June 6, 2011 and other measures, also known as the Keeping Canada's Economy and Jobs Growing Act. This debate involved numerous speeches from members of various parties, discussing the bill's provisions, economic impacts, tax credits, and proposed changes, alongside discussions on other matters such as international trade, national defence, and public safety.

This document is a record of a sitting of the House of Commons on November 16, 2011. During this sitting, the House considered Bill C-16, An Act to amend the National Defence Act (military judges). Following discussions, the bill was agreed to at the report stage, read a third time, and passed. The rest of the sitting included various statements by members, oral questions on a range of topics including the economy, national defence, and international trade, as well as routine proceedings such as the tabling of petitions and responses to petitions. Several other bills were introduced and debated. A significant portion of the sitting was dedicated to debate on Bill C-13, the Keeping Canada's Economy and Jobs Growing Act, including the use of time allocation motions and divisions (votes). The sitting concluded with adjournment proceedings.

On November 16, 2011, the House of Commons debated and passed Bill C-16, An Act to amend the National Defence Act (military judges). The sitting also included statements by members on various topics, oral question period where the economy, national defence, and natural resources were discussed, and routine proceedings such as the introduction of new bills and presentation of petitions. The debate on Bill C-13, An Act to implement certain provisions of the 2011 budget as updated on June 6, 2011 and other measures, involved discussions on time allocation and motions related to its report stage, with several divisions (votes) taken. The sitting concluded with adjournment proceedings where gasoline prices and poverty were discussed.