Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights

Issue 7 - Minutes of Proceedings - May 5, 2014

OTTAWA, Monday, May 5, 2014
(11)

[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, Boisvenu, Eggleton, P.C., Hubley, Jaffer, Ngo, Seidman and Unger (8).

Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Smith, P.C. (Cobourg) (1).

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:

Calgary Police Service:

Deputy Chief Murray Stooke (by video conference).

Office of the Representative for Children and Youth, British Columbia:

Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, Representative for Children and Youth (by video conference).

Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth (Ontario):

Irwin Elman, Provincial Advocate;

Laura Arndt, Director of Strategic Development.

Ministry of Justice of British Columbia:

Penelope Lipsack, Barrister and Solicitor, Legal Services Branch (by video conference).

Ministry of the Attorney General of Ontario:

Shane Foulds, Legal Counsel (by video conference).

The chair made an opening statement.

Deputy Chief Stooke made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:28 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:31 p.m., the committee resumed.

Ms. Turpel-Lafond, Mr. Elman and Ms. Arndt each made a statement and answered questions.

At 6:37 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 6:54 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Foulds and Ms. Lipsack each made a statement and answered questions.

At 7:24 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Adam Thompson

Clerk of the Committee