Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights

Issue 3 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Monday, March 30, 2009
(4)

[English]

The Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 6:30 p.m., in room 257, East Block, the chair, the Honourable Raynell Andreychuk, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Brazeau, Goldstein, Jaffer, Munson, Nancy Ruth, Pépin, Poy and Stratton (9).

In attendance: Julian Walker and Jennifer Bird, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, March 4, 2009, the committee began its examination on issues relating to human rights and, inter alia, the review of the machinery of government dealing with Canada's international and national human rights obligations.

WITNESSES:

Department of Justice Canada:

John Sims, Deputy Minister.

Canadian Heritage:

Diane Fulford, Assistant Deputy Minister, Citizenship and Heritage;

Lyn Elliot Sherwood, Executive Director, Heritage.

Amnesty International Canada:

Alex Neve, Secretary General.

Rights and Democracy:

Rémy M. Beauregard, President;

France-Isabelle Langlois, Assistant Director, Programs.

Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation:

Leilani Farha, Executive Director.

Mr. Sims and Ms. Fulford each made a presentation and, with Ms. Elliot Sherwood, answered questions.

At 8:17 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 8:23 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Beauregard, Mr. Neve, and Ms. Farha each made a presentation and, with Ms. Langlois, answered questions.

At 9:44 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Adam Thompson

Clerk of the Committee