M-481 Special committee

That, given that miscarriages of justice and wrongful convictions are a regrettable reality of any justice system and that measures must be taken to minimize their occurrence, a special committee be appointed to conduct a study on the process by which wrongful convictions are addressed in Canada’s justice system and to make recommendations on: (a) measures that must be taken to minimize their occurrence; (b) whether an independent Criminal Cases Review Commission should be established; (c) what additional measures should be undertaken to reduce the incidence of wrongful conviction and ensure expedited resolution of miscarriages of justice; that the committee consist of seven members which shall include three members from the government party, one member from the Official Opposition and one member from the Liberal Party, provided that the Chair is from the government party; that in addition to the Chair, there be one Vice-Chair from each of the opposition parties; that the committee have all of the powers of a Standing Committee as provided in the Standing Orders, as well as the power to travel, accompanied by the necessary staff, inside and outside of Canada, subject to the usual authorization from the House; that the members to serve on the said committee be appointed by the Whip of each party depositing with the Clerk of the House a list of his or her party’s members of the committee no later than 10 sitting days after the adoption of this motion; that the quorum of the special committee be four members for any proceedings, provided that at least a member of the opposition and of the government party be present; that membership substitutions be permitted to be made from time to time, if required, in the manner provided for in Standing Order 114(2); and that the committee report its recommendations to the House no later than 100 sitting days after the adoption of this motion.