Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights

Issue No. 2 - Minutes of Proceedings - February 24, 2016

OTTAWA, Wednesday, February 24, 2016
(4)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 11:32 a.m., in room 9, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Jim Munson, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Ataullahjan, Cordy, Frum, Hubley, Martin, Munson, Nancy Ruth and Ngo (9).

Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Cowan (1).

In attendance: 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 Wednesday, January 27, 2016, the committee continued its consideration of Bill S-201, An Act to prohibit and prevent genetic discrimination.

WITNESSES:

As individuals:

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.

Stephen W. Scherer, Director, The Centre for Applied Genomics, Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto McLaughlin Centre;

Bruce Ryder, Professor, Osgoode Hall Law School.

Canadian Human Rights Commission:

Marie-Claude Landry, Chief Commissioner;

Marcella Daye, Senior Policy Advisor, Policy, Research and International Division.

Office of the Privacy Commissioner:

Daniel Therrien, Privacy Commissioner;

Patricia Kosseim, Senior General Counsel and Director General.

The chair made a statement.

Dr. Cohn, Mr. Scherer and Mr. Ryder each made a statement and answered questions.

At 12:46 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 12:48 p.m., the committee resumed.

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

At 1:23 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Mark Palmer

Clerk of the Committee