Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights
Issue 10 - Minutes of Proceedings - March 12, 2012
OTTAWA, Monday, March 12, 2012
(11)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day, at 4:02 in room 160-S, Centre Block, the chair, the Honourable Mobina S. B. Jaffer, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Ataullahjan, Brazeau, Hubley, Jaffer, Meredith and White (8).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Nancy Ruth (1).
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:
International Development Research Centre:
Colleen Duggan, Senior Program Specialist;
John de Boer, Program Leader, Governance, Security and Justice Program.
United Nations Association in Canada:
Kathryn White, Executive Director.
Ms. Duggan made a presentation and, together with Mr. de Boer, answered questions.
At 5:03 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:07 p.m., the committee resumed.
Ms. White made a presentation and answered questions.
It was agreed that the witness' written presentation be filed as an exhibit with the clerk of the committee. (Exhibit 1120-04-02-1-41/H1-SS-1-7, 12 "1")
At 5:55 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 6:06 p.m., the committee resumed.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, October 26, 2011, the committee continued its examination of issues relating to the discrimination in the hiring and promotion practices of the Federal Public Service, to study the extent to which targets to achieve employment equity are being met, and to examine 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. 3.)
WITNESSES:
Canadian Human Rights Commission:
David Langtry, Acting Chief Commissioner;
Marie-Claude Girard, Director.
Mr. Langtry made a presentation and, together with Ms. Girard, answered questions.
At 7 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 7:06 p.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee continued in camera to consider a draft agenda.
It was agreed that senators' staff be allowed to remain in the room for the in camera portion of today's meeting.
It was agreed that the deputy chair be authorized to seek authority from the Senate for the following order of reference:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights be authorized to examine and report on issues pertaining to the human rights of First Nations band members who reside off-reserve, with an emphasis on the current federal policy framework. In particular, the committee will examine:
a. Rights relating to residency;
b. Access to rights;
c. Participation in community-based decision-making processes;
d. Portability of rights;
e. Existing Remedies; and
That the committee submit its final report no later than February 28, 2013 and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings until 30 days after the tabling of the final report.
At 7:37 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Daniel Charbonneau
Clerk of the Committee