Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights
Issue 10 - Minutes of Proceedings - June 9, 2014
OTTAWA, Monday, June 9, 2014
(16)
[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, Hubley, Jaffer, Ngo, Seidman and Unger (7).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Munson (1).
In attendance: Shauna Troniak, Analyst, 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 Tuesday, May 6, 2014, the committee continued its study to examine and report on how the mandates and practices of the UNHCR and UNICEF have evolved to meet the needs of displaced children in modern conflict situations, with particular attention to the current crisis in Syria. (For the complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 9.)
WITNESSES:
Save the Children Canada:
Cristy McLennan, Senior Adviser, Humanitarian and Emergency Response (by video conference).
As an individual:
Andrew J. Tabler, Senior Fellow, The Washington Institute for Near East Policy (by video conference).
CARE Canada:
Jessie Thomson, Director, Humanitarian Assistance.
The chair made an opening statement.
Ms. Thomson, Ms. McLennan and Mr. Tabler each made a statement and answered questions.
At 6:30 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 6:35 p.m., the committee resumed in camera.
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.)
It was agreed that senators' staff be allowed to stay in the room.
Pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee considered a draft report.
It was agreed that the draft report be adopted as revised; and that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to approve the final version of the report, and with any necessary editorial, grammatical and translation changes required.
At 6:50 p.m., the committee resumed in public.
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.)
It was agreed that the following special study budget application for 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 fiscal year ending March 31, 2015, be approved, for submission to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration:
General Expenses $10,000 TOTAL $10,000
At 6:51 p.m., pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, May 6, 2014, the committee continued its study to examine and report on how the mandates and practices of the UNHCR and UNICEF have evolved to meet the needs of displaced children in modern conflict situations, with particular attention to the current crisis in Syria. (For the complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 9.)
It was agreed that the following special study budget application for its study to examine and report on how the mandates and practices of the UNHCR and UNICEF have evolved to meet the needs of displaced children in modern conflict situations, with particular attention to the current crisis in Syria, for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015, be approved, for submission to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration:
Activity 1: Travel to Beirut and Amman $167,128 TOTAL $167,128
At 6:53 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Adam Thompson
Clerk of the Committee