Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights

Issue 19 - Minutes of Proceedings - June 15, 2015

OTTAWA, Monday, June 15, 2015
(36)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 4:01 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, Eaton, Enverga, Hubley, Jaffer and Nancy Ruth (7).

In attendance: 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 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 complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 2.)

WITNESSES:

Gildan Activewear Inc.:

Peter Iliopoulos, Senior Vice-President, Public and Corporate Affairs, Head Office.

Loblaw Companies Limited:

Robert Chant, Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Communications (by video conference).

As an individual:

Syed Sajjadur Rahman, Senior Fellow, School of International Development & Global Studies, University of Ottawa, and Senior Associate, Universalia, Montreal.

Human Rights Watch:

Nisha Varia, Director of Outreach for Women's Issues (by video conference).

The chair made a statement.

Messrs. Iliopoulos and Chant each made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:06 p.m., the committee suspended.

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

Mr. Rahman and Ms. Varia each made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:50 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 6:34 p.m., the committee resumed in camera, the deputy chair, the Honourable Senator Ataullahjan, presiding.

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 complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 9.)

Pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee considered a draft agenda (future business).

At 7:23 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Mark Palmer

Clerk of the Committee