Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights
Issue 3 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Monday, February 25, 2008
(6)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 6:59 p.m., in room 257, East Block, the chair, the Honourable A. Raynell Andreychuk, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Jaffer, Lovelace Nicholas, Munson, Oliver and Poy (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 issues relating to human rights and, inter alia, to review the machinery of government dealing with Canada's international and national human rights obligations. (For complete text of order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 2.)
WITNESS:
Freedom House (by video conference):
Paula Schriefer, Director of Advocacy.
The chair made an opening statement.
Ms. Schriefer made a statement and answered questions.
At 7:58 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Monday, March 3, 2008
(7)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 4:58 p.m., in room 257, East Block.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Cowan, Lovelace Nicholas, Mercer, Munson, Oliver, Poy and Stratton (7).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Johnson, Spivak and Zimmer (3).
In attendance: Laura Barnett and Mark Mahabir, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
The clerk informed the committee of the unavoidable absence of the chair and deputy chair and presided over the election of an acting chair.
The Honourable Senator Cowan moved that the Honourable Senator Munson be acting chair of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The acting chair took the chair and made an opening statement.
At 5 p.m., pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, February 26, 2008, the committee began its consideration of Bill C-42, An Act to amend the Museums Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.
WITNESSES:
Canadian Heritage:
Lyn Elliot Sherwood, Executive Director, Heritage Group;
Patrick O'Reilly, Director, Implementation Strategy, Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Heritage Group;
Rina Pantanoly, Legal Counsel.
Ms. Elliot Sherwood made a statement and, together with Mr. O'Reilly and Ms. Pantanoly, answered questions.
It was agreed to move to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-42, An Act to amend the Museums Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.
It was agreed that the title stand postponed.
It was agreed that clause 1 carry.
It was agreed that clause 2 carry.
It was agreed that clause 3 carry.
It was agreed that clause 4 carry.
It was agreed that clause 5 carry.
It was agreed that clause 6 carry.
It was agreed that clause 7 carry.
It was agreed that clause 8 carry.
It was agreed that clause 9 carry.
It was agreed that clause 10 carry.
It was agreed that clause 11 carry.
It was agreed that clause 12 carry.
It was agreed that clause 13 carry.
It was agreed that clause 14 carry.
It was agreed that the title carry.
It was agreed that the Bill carry.
It was agreed that the Bill be reported to the Senate without amendment.
At 5:41 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Monday, March 10, 2008
(8)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 5:06 p.m., in room 2, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable A. Raynell Andreychuk, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Goldstein, Munson, Oliver and Poy (5).
In attendance: Nancy Holmes, 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. (For complete text of order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 1.)
WITNESSES:
Statistics Canada:
Christel Le Petit, Chief, Analysis and Special Projects, Labour Statistics Division;
Geoff Bowlby, Director, Labour Statistics Division;
Tracey Leesti, Assistant Director, Labour Statistics Division.
As an individual:
Ravi Jain, Immigration Lawyer.
British Columbia College of Teachers:
Marie Crowther, Registrar.
Ontario College of Teachers:
Lise Roy-Kolbusz, Deputy Registrar;
Frank McIntyre, Manager of Human Resources.
The chair made an opening statement.
Mr. Bowlby and Ms. Le Petit each made a statement and, together with Ms. Leesti, they answered questions.
At 6:07 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 6:13 p.m., the committee resumed.
Mr. Jain made a statement and answered questions.
At 7:03 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 7:07 p.m., the committee resumed.
Ms. Crowther, Ms. Roy-Kolbusz and Mr. McIntyre each made a statement and, together, answered questions.
At 8:02 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 8:04 p.m., the committee resumed and proceeded to the consideration of its draft budgets.
The Honourable Senator Oliver moved:
That the following special study budget application (Canada's international and national human rights obligations) in the amount of $55,590 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 $ 24,500 Transportation and Communication 29,900 All Other Expenditures 1,500 TOTAL $ 55,590
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Oliver moved:
That the following legislative budget application in the amount of $9,500 be approved for submission to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.
Legislation:
Professional and Other Services $ 7,500 Transportation and Communication 1,000 All Other Expenditures 1,000 TOTAL $ 9,500 The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Oliver moved:
That the following special study budget application (Monitor implementation of recommendations in Children's Rights Report) in the amount of $3,200 be approved for submission to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.
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
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Oliver moved:
That the following special study budget application (Employment equity in the federal public service) in the amount of $262,940 be approved for submission to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.
Special study on employment equity in the federal public service:
Professional and Other Services $ 38,900 Transportation and Communication 189,540 All Other Expenditures 34,500 TOTAL $ 262,940
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Oliver moved:
That the following special study budget application (Monitor developments on recommendations in Matrimonial Real Property in Reserve Report) in the amount of $3,200 be approved for submission to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.
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 8:18 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Jessica Richardson
Clerk of the Committee