Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Monday, November 19, 2007
(1)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 4:11 p.m., in room 257, East Block, for the purpose of organization, pursuant to rule 88.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Dallaire, Jaffer, Munson and Oliver (5).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Nancy Ruth (1).
In attendance: Laura Barnett, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to rule 88, the clerk presided over the election of the chair.
The Honourable Senator Jaffer moved that the Honourable Senator Andreychuk be chair of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Andreychuk assumed the chair and made opening remarks.
The Honourable Senator Oliver moved that the Honourable Senator Jaffer be deputy chair of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Oliver moved:
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the chair, the deputy chair and one other member of the committee to be designated after the usual consultation; and
That the subcommittee be empowered to make decisions on behalf of the committee with respect to its agenda, to invite witnesses and schedule hearings.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Oliver moved:
That the committee print its proceedings; and
That the chair be authorized to adjust this number to meet demand.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Oliver moved:
That, pursuant to rule 89, the chair be authorized to hold meetings, to receive and authorize the printing of the evidence when a quorum is not present, provided that a representative of the government and a representative from the opposition are present.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Munson moved that the committee adopt the draft first report prepared in accordance with rule 104.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Jaffer moved:
That the committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign analysts to the committee;
That the chair be authorized to seek authority from the Senate to engage the services of such counsel and technical, clerical and other personnel as may be necessary for the purpose of the committee's examination and consideration of such bills, subject-matters of bills and estimates as are referred to it;
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to retain the services of such experts as may be required by the work of the committee; and
That the chair, on behalf of the committee, directs the research staff in the preparation of studies, analyses, summaries and draft reports.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Oliver moved:
That, pursuant to section 32 of the Financial Administration Act, and section 7, Chapter 3:06 of the Senate Administrative Rules, authority to commit funds be conferred individually on the chair, the deputy chair, and the clerk of the committee; and
That, pursuant to section 34 of the Financial Administration Act, and section 8, Chapter 3:06 of the Senate Administrative Rules, authority for certifying accounts payable by the committee be conferred individually on the chair, the deputy chair, and the clerk of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Dallaire moved:
That the committee empower the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure to designate, as required, one or more members of the committee and/or such staff as may be necessary to travel on assignment on behalf of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Munson moved that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to:
1) determine whether any member of the committee is on "official business" for the purposes of paragraph 8(3)(a) of the Senators Attendance Policy, published in the Journals of the Senate on Wednesday, June 3, 1998; and
2) consider any member of the committee to be on "official business" if that member is: (a) attending a function, event or meeting related to the work of the committee; or (b) making a presentation related to the work of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Jaffer moved:
That, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witness expenses, the committee may reimburse reasonable travelling and living expenses for one witness from any one organization and payment will take place upon application, but that the chair be authorized to approve expenses for a second witness should there be exceptional circumstances.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Munson moved:
That the chair be authorized to seek permission from the Senate to permit coverage by electronic media of its public proceedings with the least possible disruption of its hearings; and
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to allow such coverage at its discretion.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Jaffer moved:
That each committee member be allowed to have one staff person present at in camera meetings, unless there is a decision for a particular meeting to exclude all staff.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Oliver moved:
That the recordings and transcripts of the in camera discussions of the draft report on the study on Canada's international obligations in regards to the rights and freedoms of children taken during the First Session of the Thirty-ninth Parliament be destroyed.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The chair informed the committee that the start time for its meetings on Mondays is 4:00 p.m.
It was agreed that the chair seek the approval of the whips to sit from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Mondays.
A discussion of issues related to the mandate of the committee followed.
At 4:32 p.m., pursuant to with rule 92(2)(e), the committee proceeded in camera to consider its agenda (future business).
It was agreed that three interns from the Library of Parliament be allowed to stay during in camera discussions.
The Honourable Senator Jaffer moved that the chair be authorized to seek permission from the Senate to examine the following order of reference:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights be authorized 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;
That the papers and evidence received and taken on the subject and the work accomplished during the Thirty-seventh Parliament, the Thirty-eighth Parliament and the First Session of the Thirty-ninth Parliament be referred to the committee; and
That the committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than December 31, 2008.
The question put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Jaffer moved that the chair be authorized to seek permission from the Senate to examine the following order of reference:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights be authorized to invite the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development to appear with his officials before the committee for the purpose of updating the members of the committee on actions taken concerning the recommendations contained in the committee's report entitled A Hard Bed to lie in: Matrimonial Real Property on Reserve, tabled in the Senate November 4, 2003;
That the papers and evidence received and taken on the subject and the work accomplished during the Thirty-seventh Parliament, the Thirty-eighth Parliament and the First Session of the Thirty-ninth Parliament be referred to the committee; and
That the committee continue to monitor developments on the subject and submit a final report to the Senate no later than December 31, 2008.
The question put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Jaffer moved that the chair be authorized to seek permission from the Senate to examine the following order of reference:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights be authorized to examine cases of alleged discrimination in the hiring and promotion practices of the Federal Public Service and to study the extent to which targets to achieve employment equity for minority groups are being met;
That the papers and evidence received and taken on the subject and the work accomplished during the Thirty-seventh Parliament, the Thirty-eighth Parliament and the First Session of the Thirty-ninth Parliament be referred to the committee; and
That the committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than December 31, 2008.
The question put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Dallaire moved that the chair be authorized to seek permission from the Senate to examine the following order of reference:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights be authorized to monitor the implementation of recommendations contained in the committee's report entitled Children: The Silenced Citizens: Effective Implementation of Canada's International Obligations with Respect to the Rights of Children, tabled in the Senate on April 25, 2007;
That the papers and evidence received and taken on the subject and the work accomplished during the Thirty-eighth Parliament and the First Session of the Thirty-ninth Parliament be referred to the committee; and
That the committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than December 31, 2008.
The question put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 5:35 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Monday, December 3, 2007
(2)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 4:05 p.m., in room 160-S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable A. Raynell Andreychuk, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Baker, P.C., Dallaire, Kinsella, Munson and Oliver (6).
In attendance: Laura Barnett, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, 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 21, 2007 the committee began its consideration of employment equity in the federal public service.
WITNESSES:
Public Service Commission of Canada:
Maria Barrados, President;
Joanne Lalonde, Acting Director General, National Client Services Directorate;
Paula Green, Director General, Equity and Diversity.
Center for Research-Action on Race Relations:
Fo Niemi, Director General.
National Council of Visible Minorities in the Federal Public Service:
Igho Natufe, President;
Adelaida Bustamante, Chief Administrative Officer.
The chair made an opening statement.
Ms. Barrados made a statement and, together with Ms. Lalonde and Ms. Green, answered questions.
At 5:03 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:10 p.m., the committee resumed.
Mr. Niemi and Mr. Natufe each made a statement and, together with Ms. Bustamante, answered questions.
At 6:20 p.m., the committee proceeded to the consideration of its draft budgets.
The Honourable Senator Oliver moved:
That the special study budget application (Canada's international and national human rights obligations) in the amount of $171,050 be approved for submission to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.
Special Study on Canada's international and national human rights obligations:
Professional and Other Services $ 19,500 Transportation and Communication 140,050 All Other Expenditures 11,500 Total $ 171,050
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Oliver moved:
That the following legislative budget application and the following special study budget applications be approved for submission to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.
Legislation:
Professional and Other Services $ 2,500 Transportation and Communication 1,000 All Other Expenditures 1,000 Total $ 4,500
Special Study to monitor implementation of recommendations in Children's Rights Report:
Professional and Other Services $ 2,500 Transportation and Communication 200 All Other Expenditures 500 Total $ 3,200
Special Study on Employment Equity in the Federal Public Service:
Professional and Other Services $ 5,000 Transportation and Communication 200 All Other Expenditures 500 Total $ 5,700
Special Study to monitor developments on recommendations in Matrimonial Real Property in Reserve Report:
Professional and Other Services $ 2,500 Transportation and Communication 200 All Other Expenditures 500 Total $ 3,200
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 6:23 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Monday, December 10, 2007
(3)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 4:04 p.m., in room 9, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable A. Raynell Andreychuk, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Dallaire, Dawson, Jaffer, Munson and Oliver (6).
In attendance: Laura Barnett, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, 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 21, 2007 the committee continued its consideration of employment equity in the federal public service.
WITNESSES:
Canada Public Service Agency:
Karen Ellis, Senior Vice-President, Workforce and Workplace Renewal;
Angela Henry, Acting Director, Diversity Policy, Public Service Renewal and Diversity Branch.
Department of Justice Canada:
Camille Therriault-Power, Director General, Director General's Office;
Zina Glinski, Senior Policy Advisor, Employment Equity, Human Resources Planning, Employment Equity and HR Systems;
Pamela Woods, Manager, Staffing, Official Languages and Awards, Staffing, Official Languages and Recognition Section.
Canadian Labour Congress:
Karl Flecker, National Director of Anti-Racism and Human Rights Department.
The chair made an opening statement.
Ms. Ellis made a statement and, together with Ms. Henry, answered questions.
At 5:01 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:03 p.m., the committee resumed.
Ms. Therriault-Power made a statement and, together with Ms. Glinski and Ms. Woods, answered questions.
At 6:04 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 6:09 p.m., the committee resumed.
Mr. Flecker made a statement and answered questions.
At 6:56 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Jessica Richardson
Clerk of the Committee