Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights
Issue 4 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Monday, April 20, 2009
(5)
[English]
The Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 6:34 p.m., in room 257, East Block, the chair, the Honourable Raynell Andreychuk, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Jaffer, Lovelace Nicholas, Martin, Nancy Ruth, Peterson, and Poy (7).
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 continued its examination of the issues of discrimination in the hiring and promotion practices of the Federal Public Service, the extent to which targets to achieve employment equity are being met, and labour market outcomes for minority groups in the private sector. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 2.)
WITNESSES:
National Council of Visible Minorities in the Federal Public Service (NCVM):
Igho Natufe, President;
Catherine Kizito, Chief Administrative Officer;
Marcel Kabundi, Chair of the NCVM Committee at the Correctional Service of Canada;
Waheed Khan, Member of the Visible Minority Advisory Committee at Environment Canada.
Mr. Natufe made a presentation and, with Ms. Kizito and Messrs. Kabundi and Khan, answered questions.
At 7:40 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 7:52 p.m., the committee resumed.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, March 4, 2009, the committee continued 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. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue no. 3.)
WITNESSES:
Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children:
Kathy Vandergrift, Chair.
Council of Canadians with Disabilities:
Steve Estey, Chair, International Development Committee.
Social Rights Advocacy Centre:
Bruce Porter, Executive Director.
Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action (FAFIA):
Nancy Baroni, Progam Director.
Ms. Vandergrift, Messrs. Porter and Estey, and Ms. Baroni each made a presentation and together answered questions.
At 9:38 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Adam Thompson
Clerk of the Committee