Hon. Mobina S. B. Jaffer: Senator Patterson, thank you very much for your question — it’s a very important one.

As you know, until very recently, we were studying Bill C-5, which is a government bill; it took many weeks to study. And then we had Bill C-210 which was a bill we had left since last June to finish. We finished that bill, and we’re presently studying Bill S-205, and, after that, the steering committee will look at when we will do the study.

The study is very much on our minds, but we’ve had many other challenges, and you are not a stranger to the work of the Legal Committee. We have many bills to take care of, and we haven’t forgotten it. We know that March is the deadline.

We’re also aware that the House has started studying it, and we’re working with the House as to when we should start the study. Thank you very much for raising it today.

Hon. Dennis Glen Patterson: My question is for the Honourable Senator Jaffer as Chair of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee.

Senator, when Bill C-28 on extreme intoxication was rushed through both chambers in June — and I know you’ll remember those debates we had here — it was with the promise that both houses would take the unusual step of retroactively reviewing the legislation for any potential loopholes in light of concerns from victims’ advocacy groups and women’s legal organizations.

I note that the other place has already proceeded with their review. Senator Jaffer, can you tell us when we can expect your committee to begin looking into this issue?