Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights
Issue 7 - Minutes of Proceedings - February 6, 2012
OTTAWA, Monday, February 6, 2012
(8)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day, at 4 p.m., in room 160-S, Centre Block, the chair, the Honourable Mobina S. B. Jaffer, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Ataullahjan, Hubley, Jaffer, Meredith, Nolin and Plett (6).
In attendance: Julian Walker, Analyst, 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, June 22, 2011, the committee continued its examination 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 the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 1.)
WITNESSES:
Department of Justice Canada:
Jodie van Dieen, Director General and Senior General Counsel, Human Rights Law Section.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada:
David Angell, Director General, International Organizations, Human Rights and Democracy Bureau.
Canadian Heritage:
Martha LaBarge, Director General, Management and Human Rights.
Amnesty International Canada:
Alex Neve, Secretary General.
Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation:
Leilani Farha, Executive Director.
Action Canada for Population and Development (ACPD):
Sandeep Prasad, Executive Director.
Ms. van Dieen, Mr. Angell and Ms. LaBarge each made a statement and, together, answered questions.
At 5:06 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:13 p.m., the committee resumed.
Ms. Farha, Mr. Neve and Mr. Prasad each made a statement and, together, answered questions.
It was agreed that senators' staff be allowed to remain in the room for the in camera portion of today's meeting.
At 6:37 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 6:56 p.m., the committee resumed in camera and, pursuant to rule 92(2)(f), considered a draft report.
It was agreed that the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights authorizes the clerk of the committee to send a numbered copy of the report on sports and disabilities to the former senator Kochhar for his review and comments;
That the former Senator Kochhar be advised by letter that the report is confidential and any public disclosure is considered a violation of the rights and privileges of the Senate; and
That the number copy of the report given to former Senator Kochhar be returned to the clerk of the committee upon the tabling of the report.
At 7:19 p.m., the committee, pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), considered a draft agenda.
At 7:21 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Daniel Charbonneau
Clerk of the Committee