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Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights

Issue 2 - Minutes of Proceedings

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Monday, June 4, 2001
(3)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 1:10 p.m., in Room 505, Victoria Building, the Chairman, the Honourable A. Raynell Andreychuk, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Beaudoin, Ferretti Barth, Finestone, P.C., Kinsella, Watt, and Wilson (7).

In attendance: Mary Hurley, Research Officer, Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, May 10, 2001, the committee commenced its examination of isssues relating to human rights, and, inter alia, to review the machinery of government dealing with Canada's international and national human rights obligations.

WITNESSES:

From the Department of Political Science, York University:

Professor Anne F. Bayefsky.

From Amnesty International Canada:

Alex Neve, Secretary-General.

Professor Bayefsky made a statement and answered questions.

Mr. Neve made a statement and answered questions.

Mr. Neve tabled with the clerk of the committee a document entitled Amnesty, report 2001 and filed as Exhibit No. 5900-1.37/H1-SS-1, 2 "1".

The Honourable Senator Kinsella tabled with the Clerk of the Committee a document entitled "Some Historical Notes on the Establishment of the Continuing Federal-Provincial Committee of Officials Responsible for Human Rights" and filed as Exhibit No. 5900-1.37/H1-SS-1, 2, "2".

The committee considered the following draft budget for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2002:

SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURES

Professional And Other Services	$ 5,250
Other Expenditures	$ 1,500
TOTAL	$ 6,750

The Honourable Senator Wilson moved that the draft budget be adopted.

After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

At 4:10 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

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OTTAWA, Monday, June 11, 2001
(4)

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 12:08 p. m., in Room 505, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Raynell Andreychuk, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Beaudoin, Ferretti Barth, Kinsella, Milne, Poy, and Watt (7).

In attendance: David Goetz, Research Officer, Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, May 10, 2001, the Committee continued its examin ation of isssues relating to human rights, and, inter alia, to review the machinery of government dealing with Canada's international and national human rights obligations.

WITNESSES:

From the Department of Canadian Heritage:

Norman Moyer, Assistant Deputy Minister, Canadian Identity, and Chair of the Continuing Committee of Officials on Human Rights.

From the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade:

Adèle Dion, Director, Human Rights, Humanitarian Affairs and International Women's Equality Division;

John T. Holmes, Director, United Nations, Criminal and Treaty Law Division.

From the Department of Justice:

Irit Weiser, Director, Human Rights Law Section;

Paul Rishworth, University of Auckland.

From the University of Saskatchewan:

Professor Ken Norman.

Mr. Moyer, Ms Dion, Mr. Holmes, and Ms Weiser made presentations and, together with Professor Rishworth, answered questions.

Professor Norman made a presentation and answered questions.

At 3:22 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Till Heyde

Clerk of the Committee

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