Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights

Issue 21 - Minutes of Proceedings

VANCOUVER, Thursday, November 22, 2012
(28)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day, at 2:44 p.m. in the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society, the chair, the Honourable Mobina S. B. Jaffer, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Brazeau, Harb, Hubley and Jaffer (4).

In attendance: Julian Walker and Martha Butler, 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 Thursday, March 15, 2012, the committee continued its examination pertaining to the human rights of First Nations band members who reside off-reserve, with an emphasis on the current federal policy framework. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 17.)

WITNESSES:

British Colombia Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres:

Paul Lacerte, Executive Director.

Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Friendship Centre:

Chris Beaton, Project Manager.

Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society:

Susan Tatoosh, Executive Director.

Victoria Friendship Centre:

Kari Hutchinson, Assistant Executive Director.

UBC First Nations Legal Clinic:

Sarah J. Rauch, Director and Supervising Lawyer;

Claire Anderson, Student.

Carrier Sekani Family Services:

Preston Guno, Program Manager.

Metro Vancouver Aboriginal Executive Council:

Christine Smith, Co-Chair;

Angeline Nelson, Executive Director, Knowledgeable Youth Association

B.C. Aboriginal Network on Disability Society:

Ali Davies, Disability Case Manager;

Larissa Williams, Disability Case Manager.

United Native Nation Local 510:

Bill Williams, President.

The Chair and Deputy Chair each made an opening statement and presided jointly over the meeting.

Mr. Lacerte, Ms. Tatoosh and Mr. Beaton each made a statement and together answered questions with Ms. Hutchinson.

At 4:21 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 4:26 p.m., the committee resumed.

Ms. Rauch made a statement and answered questions.

Mr. Guno made a statement and together answered questions with Ms. Anderson.

At 5:34 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:37 p.m., the committee resumed.

Ms. Davies, Ms. Williams and Mr. Williams each made a statement and together answered questions.

The Honourable Senator Harb moved:

That the Ms. Ali Davies and Mr. Bill Williams' presentations be each filed as an exhibit:

Exhibit 1120-04-02-1-41/H1-SS7-7,6 "1''

Exhibit 1120-04-02-1-41/H1-SS7-7,6 "2''

and that they be appended to the committee's proceeding.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

At 6:15 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Daniel Charbonneau

Clerk of the Committee