Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights

Issue 3 - Minutes of Proceedings - March 3, 2014

OTTAWA, Monday, March 3, 2014
(5)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 5 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, Eggleton, P.C., Hubley, Jaffer, Meredith, Ngo, Seidman and Unger (9).

In attendance: Julia Nicol and Shauna Troniak, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, November 19, 2013, the committee continued its study to monitor 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 the complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 2.)

WITNESSES:

Public Safety Canada:

Bobby Matheson, Director General, Crime Prevention Directorate.

Justice Canada:

Donald Piragoff, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy Sector;

Elizabeth Hendy, Senior Director, Policy Implementation Directorate;

Hana Hruska, Director, Programs & Corporate Affairs, Youth Justice and Strategic Initiatives Section.

As individuals (by video conference):

Nicholas Bala, Professor, Faculty of Law, Queen's University;

Siu Ming Kwok, Associate Professor, King's University College at Western University.

Canadian Council of Criminal Defence Lawyers:

Lisa Pomerant;

Emma Rhodes.

John Howard Society of Canada:

Catherine Latimer, Executive Director.

The chair made an opening statement.

Messrs. Matheson and Piragoff each made a statement and, together with Ms. Hendy and Ms. Hruska, answered questions.

At 6:11 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 6:17 p.m., the committee resumed.

Ms. Pomerant, Ms. Rhodes, Messrs. Bala and Kwok each made a statement and answered questions.

At 7:11 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 7:19 p.m., the committee resumed.

Ms. Latimer made a statement and answered questions.

At 8:04 p.m., pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, November 19, 2013, the committee continued its study of the issue 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 the complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 1.)

It was agreed that the following special study budget application for its study 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 the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015, be approved, for submission to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration:

GENERAL EXPENSES $ 7,200

TOTAL $ 7,200

At 8:05 p.m., the committee suspended.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, February 27, 2014, the committee began its study of the international mechanisms toward improving cooperation in the settlement of cross-border family disputes, including Canada's actions to encourage universal adherence to and compliance with the Hague Abductions Convention, and to strengthen cooperation with non-Hague State Parties with the purpose of upholding children's best interests.

At 8:06 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to consider a draft agenda.

It was agreed that senators' staff be allowed to stay in the room.

At 8:07 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Adam Thompson

Clerk of the Committee