Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights

Issue 6 - Minutes of Proceedings - April 7, 2014 (evening meeting)

OTTAWA, Monday, April 7, 2014
(9)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 4:32 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, Ngo, Seidman and Unger (8).

In attendance: Julia Nicol and Shauna Troniak, 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, February 27, 2014, the committee continued 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. (For the complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 3.)

WITNESSES:

As an individual:

The Honourable Jacques Chamberland, Member, International Hague Network of Judges.

The Missing Children's Network:

Pina Arcamone, Director General (by video conference).

iCHAPEAU Association:

Stephen Watkins, Executive Director and Founding Member.

Canadian Centre for Child Protection:

Lianna McDonald, Executive Director (by video conference);

Christy Dzikowicz, Director, Missing Children Services (by video conference).

As individuals:

Max Blitt, Fellow, International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (by video conference);

Carol Bruch, Distinguished Professor Emerita and Research Professor of Law, School of Law, University of California, Davis (by video conference).

The chair made an opening statement.

Justice Chamberland made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:22 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 6:02 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Watkins, Ms. Arcamone, Ms. McDonald and Ms. Dzikowicz each made a statement and answered questions.

At 7:03 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 7:09 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Blitt and Ms. Bruch each made a statement and answered questions.

At 7:53 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Adam Thompson

Clerk of the Committee