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Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights

Issue 17 - Minutes of Proceedings

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OTTAWA, Wednesday, December 9, 2009
(21)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 3:32 p.m., in room 257 East Block, the Chair, the Honourable A. Raynell Andreychuk, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Brazeau, Dallaire, Demers, Jaffer, Mitchell, Munson, Nancy Ruth and Poy (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 of 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.

APPEARING:

The Honourable Robert Nicholson, P.C., M.P., Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.

WITNESSES:

Department of Justice Canada:

Elisabeth Eid, Director General and Senior Counsel, Human Rights Law Section;

Gillian Blackell, Senior Counsel, Coordonator, Children's Law and Family Violence Policy Unit;

Paula Kingston, Senior Counsel, Youth Justice, Strategic Initiatives and Law Reform.

The minister made an opening statement and, with the other witnesses, answered questions.

At 4:15 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Adam Thompson

Clerk of the Committee

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