Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights

Issue 7 - Minutes of Proceedings - April 28, 2014

OTTAWA, Monday, April 28, 2014
(10)

[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, 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:

Royal Canadian Mounted Police:

Joe Oliver, Assistant Commissioner, Technical Operations;

Sergeant Jane Boissonneault, National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains.

Canada Border Services Agency:

Denis Vinette, Director General, Border Operations.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada:

Lu Fernandes, Director General, Passport Program Integrity;

Michelle Lattimore, Director, Integrity Operations Division, Passport Program Integrity Branch.

As individuals:

Timothy Gianotti, Director of Islamic Studies, American Islamic College (by video conference);

Anver Emon, Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Toronto (by video conference);

Ahmed Fekry Ibrahim, Assistant Professor, Institute of Islamic Studies, McGill University.

The chair made an opening statement.

A/Commr. Oliver, Messrs. Vinette and Fernandes each made a statement, and together with Sgt. Boissonneault and Ms. Lattimore, answered questions.

At 6:20 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 6:38 p.m., the committee resumed.

Messrs. Gianotti, Emon and Ibrahim each made a statement and answered questions.

At 7:34 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Adam Thompson

Clerk of the Committee