Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights
Issue 13 - Minutes of Proceedings - May 14, 2012
OTTAWA, Monday, May 14, 2012
(15)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 4:02 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 Andreychuk, Ataullahjan, Brazeau, Harb, Hubley, Jaffer, Meredith, White and Zimmer (9).
In attendance: Lyne Casavan, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament; Ceri Au, Communications Officer, Senate Communications Directorate.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, November 30, 2011, the committee continued its examination of cyberbullying in Canada with regard to Canada's international human rights obligations under Article 19 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 6.)
WITNESSES:
Canadian Safe School Network:
Stu Auty, President.
Canadian Teachers' Federation:
Paul Taillefer, President.
Canadian School Boards Association:
Sandi Urban-Hall, President-Elect, Canadian School Boards Association;
David Birnbaum, Executive Director, Quebec English Boards Association.
Dalhousie University:
A. Wayne MacKay, Professor and Associate Dean of Research, Schulich School of Law (by video conference).
Kids Help Phone:
Sharon Wood, President and CEO;
Alain Johnson, Clinical Director, French Language Services.
Centre for Suicide Prevention:
Suzanne McLeod, Curriculum Developer;
Robert Olson, Librarian.
University of Wisconsin-Eau Clair:
Justin W. Patchin, Co-director, Cyberbullying Research Centre (by video conference).
University of British Columbia:
Jennifer Shapka, Associate Professor, Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education.
Université Laval:
Michel Boivin, Professor and Canada Research Chair in Child Development, School of Psychology.
Mr. Auty, Mr. Taillefer, Ms. Urban-Hall and Mr. Birnbaum each made a statement and, together with Mr. MacKay, answered questions.
At 5:34 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:35 p.m., the committee resumed.
Ms. Wood and Ms. McLeod each made a statement and, together with Mr. Johnson and Mr. Olson, answered questions.
At 6:30 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 6:49 p.m., the committee resumed.
Mr. Patchin and Ms. Shapka and Mr. Boivin each made a statement and, together, answered questions.
At 7:49 p.m., the committee resumed in camera and, pursuant to rule 92(2)(e) considered a draft agenda.
At 8:08 p.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(f), the committee continued in camera to consider a draft report.
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. (Federal programs supporting sports and recreational activities for children and youth with disabilities). (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 1.)
The committee began its consideration of a draft report.
It was agreed that the report be adopted.
At 8:14 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Daniel Charbonneau
Clerk of the Committee