Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights

Issue 11 - Minutes of Proceedings - October 2, 2014

OTTAWA, Thursday, October 2, 2014
(19)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 8:04 a.m. in room 9, Victoria Building, the deputy chair, the Honourable Salma Ataullahjan, presiding.

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

In attendance: Mark Palmer, Acting Procedural Clerk; 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 continued its study of Bill S-201, An Act to prohibit and prevent genetic discrimination.

WITNESSES:

Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada:

Daniel Therrien, Privacy Commissioner of Canada;

Carman Baggaley, Senior Strategic Policy Advisor;

Patricia Kosseim, Senior General Counsel and Director General.

As individuals:

Yvonne Bombard, PhD, Scientist, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Assistant Professor, Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto;

Dr. Ronald Cohn, Co-Director, Centre for Genetic Medicine, Sr Scientist, The Hospital for Sick Children, Department of Pediatrics and Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto.

DECLARATIONS OF PRIVATE INTERESTS

Pursuant to subsection 12(1) of the Conflict of Interest Code for Senators, a declaration of private interest was made as follows:

— By written declaration, the Honourable Senator Tannas (Bill S-201, An Act to prohibit and prevent genetic discrimination).

The chair made a statement.

Mr. Therrien made a statement and, together with Mr. Baggaley and Ms. Kosseim, answered questions.

At 8:58 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 9:04 a.m., the committee resumed.

Dr. Cohn and Ms. Bombard each made a statement and answered questions.

At 10:06 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Adam Thompson

Clerk of the Committee