Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Social Affairs, Science and Technology

Issue 19 - Minutes of Proceedings

VANCOUVER, Tuesday, June 7, 2005
(35)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met at 9:00 a.m., this day, in the Mackenzie 2 room of the Fairmont Waterfront in Vancouver, the Honourable Michael Kirby, Chair, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Callbeck, Cook, Cordy, Gill, Kirby, Pépin and Trenholme Counsell (7).

In attendance: From the Library of Parliament Research Branch: Howard Chodos, Analyst, Political and Social Affairs Division and Tim Riordan, Analyst, Political and Social Affairs Division.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, October 7, 2004, the committee continued its examination on the state of the health care system in Canada, in particular issues concerning mental health and mental illness. (See Issue No. 1, Wednesday, October 20, 2004, for the full text of the Order of Reference.)

WITNESSES:

Mood Disorders Association of British Columbia:

Rennie Hoffman, Executive Director.

Families for Early Autism Treatment:

Dr. Sabrina Freeman, Executive Director.

Providence Health Care:

Dr. Kristin Sivertz, Physician Director, Mental Health Program and Head of the Department of Psychiatry;

Dr. Alan Burgmann, Clinical Assistant Professor, Psychiatry, University of Columbia.

Crisis Intervention and Suivide Prevention Centre of British Columbia:

Ian Ross, Executive Director.

Office of the Correctional Investigator Canada:

Howard Sapers, Correctional Investigator of Canada;

Nathalie Neault, Director of Investigations.

Rennie Hoffman, Sabrina Freeman, Ian Ross, Alan Burgmann and Kristin Sivertz each made a statement. Together the witnesses answered questions.

At 10:49 a.m. the committee suspended its sitting.

At 11:01 a.m. the committee resumed its sitting.

Howard Sapers made a statement. Together with Nathalie Neault the witnesses answered questions.

At 12:16 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

VANCOUVER, Tuesday, June 7, 2005
(36)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met at 1:01 p.m., this day, in the Mackenzie 2 room of the Fairmont Waterfront in Vancouver, the Honourable Michael Kirby, Chair, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Callbeck, Cook, Cordy, Gill, Kirby, Pépin and Trenholme Counsell (7).

In attendance: From the Library of Parliament Research Branch: Howard Chodos, Analyst, Political and Social Affairs Division and Tim Riordan, Analyst, Political and Social Affairs Division.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, October 7, 2004, the committee continued its examination on the state of the health care system in Canada, in particular issues concerning mental health and mental illness. (See Issue No. 1, Wednesday, October 20, 2004, for the full text of the Order of Reference.)

WITNESSES:

Schizophrenia Digest:

William MacPhee, Founder and Publisher.

As individuals:

Rafe Mair, Journalist;

Svend Robinson, Former Member of Parliament.

Svend Robinson, Rafe Mair and William MacPhee each made a statement. Together the witnesses answered questions.

At 2:15 p.m. the committee suspended its sitting.

At 2: 20 p.m. the committee resumed its sitting.

Walk-ons:

BC Alliance for Accountable Mental Health and Addictions Services:

John Russell, Chair.

Vancouver Island Health Authority:

Dr. Robert Miller, Chief of Psychiatry, Medical Program Director.

John Russell and Dr, Robert Miller appeared as walk-ons and each made a statement and answered questions.

At 2:45 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Josée Thérien

Clerk of the Committee