Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights

Issue No. 3 - Minutes of Proceedings - April 13, 2016

OTTAWA, Wednesday, April 13, 2016
(7)

[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, Hubley, Martin, Munson, Nancy Ruth and Ngo (8).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Jaffer and Omidvar (2).

In attendance: Julia Nichol and Jean-Philippe Duguay, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

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

The Honourable Senator Cordy moved:

That the chair be authorized to seek authority from the Senate for the following order of reference:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights be authorized to examine and report on the steps being taken to facilitate the integration of newly-arrived Syrian refugees and to address the challenges they are facing, including by the various levels of government, private sponsors and non-governmental organizations.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

At 11:34 a.m., pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, February 3, 2016, 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 the complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 3.)

WITNESSES:

Global Affairs Canada:

Christopher Burton, Director, Northeast Asia Division;

Susan Gregson, Assistant Deputy Minister, Asia-Pacific.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada:

Sarita Bhatla, Director General, Refugee Affairs;

James McNamee, Acting Director General, Operational Management and Coordination.

HanVoice Support Association:

Christopher Kim, Executive Director.

Amnesty International Canada:

Alex Neve, Secretary General.

Light Korean Presbyterian Church:

Ross S. Lee, Volunteers Committee Chair (Former).

KCWA Family and Social Services:

Monica Chi, Executive Director.

The chair made a statement.

Ms. Gregson made a statement and, together with Mr. Burton, answered questions.

Ms. Bhatla made a statement and, together with Mr. McNamee, answered questions.

At 12:24 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 12:28 p.m., the committee resumed.

Messrs. Kim and Neve each made a statement and answered questions.

At 1:11 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 1:15 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Lee and Ms. Chi each made a statement and answered questions.

At 1:54 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Mark Palmer

Clerk of the Committee