Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights

Issue 11 - Minutes of Proceedings - September 29, 2014

OTTAWA, Monday, September 29, 2014
(18)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 4:05 p.m. in room 160-S, Centre Block, the deputy chair, the Honourable Salma Ataullahjan, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Ataullahjan, Cowan, Eggleton, P.C., Munson, Nancy Ruth, Ngo and Tannas (8).

In attendance: Mark Palmer, Acting Procedural Clerk; Julia Nicol, Jean-Philippe Duguay and Julian Walker, 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 Monday, June 16, 2014, the committee began its study of Bill S-201, An Act to prohibit and prevent genetic discrimination.

WITNESSES:

The Honourable Senator James Cowan, sponsor of the bill.

Office of the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate:

Barbara Kagedan, Senior Policy Advisor.

Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association:

Frank Swedlove, President;

Frank Zinatelli, Vice President and General Counsel;

Dr. Judy Beamish, Vice President and Chief Medical Director, Sun Life Financial.

Canadian Institute of Actuaries:

Bob Howard, Past President;

Jacques Y. Boudreau, Chair, Committee on Genetic Testing;

Michel Simard, Executive Director.

Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers:

Karen Jensen, Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright.

The chair made a statement.

The Honourable Senator Cowan made a statement and, together with Ms. Kagedan, answered questions.

At 4:55 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:08 p.m., the committee resumed.

Messrs. Howard, Boudreau, Simard, Swedlove and Ms. Jensen each made a statement and, together with Mr. Zinatelli and Dr. Beamish, answered questions.

At 6:23 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Adam Thompson

Clerk of the Committee