Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights
Issue 13 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Monday, May 16, 2005
(17)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 3:05 p.m., in room 9, Victoria Building, the Honourable A. Raynell Andreychuk, Chair, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Baker, P.C. Carstairs, P.C., Ferretti Barth, Oliver, Pearson, Poy and Stratton (8).
In attendance: Laura Barnett of the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, November 3, 2004, the committee began to examine and monitor issues relating to human rights and, inter alia, to review the machinery of government dealing with Canada's international and national human rights obligations.
WITNESSES:
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (by videoconference):
Eduardo Bertoni, Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression;
Lisa Yagel, Attorney.
At 3:05 p.m. Mr. Bertoni made a statement and together with the other witness answered questions.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, November 3, 2004, the committee continued its consideration of Canada's international obligations in regard to the rights and freedoms of children. (For the complete text of Order of Reference see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 3.)
APPEARING:
The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, P.C., M.P., Minister of State (Public Health).
WITNESSES
Health Canada:
Kelly Stone, Director, Division of Childhood and Adolescence;
Dr. Sylvie Stachenko, Deputy Chief Public Health Officer.
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA):
David Moloney, Vice-President, Policy Branch;
Sarita Bhatla, Director, Human Rights and Participation Division;
Natalie Zend, Senior Child Rights Analyst, Policy Branch;
At 4 p.m., the Honourable Carolyn Bennett made a statement and together with the other witnesses answered questions.
At 5 p.m., Mr. Moloney, made a statement and together with the other witnesses answered questions.
At 5:40 p.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(e) the committee continued in camera to consider a draft report.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Pearson that the draft report entitled Canadian adherence to the American Convention on Human Rights: It is time to proceed be adopted and that the Chair table it at the next sitting of the Senate.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 5:50 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Line Gravel
Clerk of the Committee