Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights

Issue 14 - Minutes of Proceedings - December 11, 2014

OTTAWA, Thursday, December 11, 2014
(26)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 8 a.m., in room 9, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Mobina S. B. Jaffer, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Ataullahjan, Black, Cowan, Eaton, Eggleton, P.C., Hubley, Jaffer, Nancy Ruth and Ngo (10).

In attendance: Mark Palmer, Acting Procedural Clerk; Julia Nicol and Jean-Philippe Duguay, 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. (For the complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 11.)

WITNESSES:

As an individual:

Pierre Thibault, Assistant Dean and Secretary, Civil Law Section, University of Ottawa.

Canadian Association of Labour Lawyers:

Peter Engelmann, Sack Goldblatt Mitchell, LLP.

Canadian Human Rights Commission:

David Langtry, Acting Chief Commissioner;

Fiona Keith, Acting Director and Senior Counsel;

Marcella Daye, Senior Policy Advisor.

The chair made a statement.

Messrs. Thibault and Engelmann each made a statement and answered questions.

At 8:57 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 9:01 a.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Langtry made a statement and, together with Ms. Keith and Ms. Daye, answered questions.

At 9:37 a.m., 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.)

The chair made a statement.

At 9:40 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Adam Thompson

Clerk of the Committee