Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights

Issue No. 6 - Minutes of Proceedings - May 30, 2016

TORONTO, Monday, May 30, 2016
(12)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 9:03 a.m., in City Hall Room, Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, the chair, the Honourable Jim Munson, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Ataullahjan, Hubley, Munson, Ngo and Omidvar (5).

In attendance: Julia Nicol and Jean-Philippe Duguay, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament; Mireille Sylvester, Communications Officer, Senate Communications.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, April 14, 2016, the committee continued its study on 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. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 4.)

WITNESSES:

COSTI Immigrant Services:

Mario J. Calla, Executive Director.

Lifeline Syria:

Malaz Sebai, Board Director.

Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants:

Alexander Vadala, Senior Coordinator, Policy & Research.

Muslim Welfare Centre of Toronto:

Muhammad Rehan, General Manager;

Mohammad Firaaz Azeez, Special Projects Manager.

Arab Community Centre of Toronto:

Zena Al Hamdan, Programs Manager.

As an individual:

Dr. Meb Rashid, Medical Director, Crossroads Clinic, Women's College Hospital and Assistant Professor, DFCM, University of Toronto.

Syrian Canadian Foundation:

Bayan Khatib, Board Member and Head of the Social Committee.

As individuals:

Annette Wilde, refugee sponsor;

Witness 3;

Witness 4;

Witness 5;

Witness 6.

The chair made a statement.

Messrs. Calla, Sebai, Vadala and Rehan each made a statement and answered questions.

At 10:20 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 10:26 a.m., the committee resumed.

Dr. Rashid, Mr. Khatib and Ms. Al Hamdan each made a statement and answered questions.

At 11:45 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 12 p.m., the committee resumed in camera.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, April 14, 2016, that, notwithstanding Rule 92, the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights be empowered to hold occasional meetings in camera for the purpose of hearing witnesses and gathering sensitive evidence, the committee heard testimony from witnesses in camera.

It was agreed that senators' staff be permitted to remain in the room during the in camera portion of the meeting.

It was agreed, that the committee allow the transcription of the in camera portions of today's meeting, that one copy be kept in the office of the clerk of the committee for consultation by committee members present or by the committee analysts; and that the transcript be destroyed by the clerk when authorized to do so by the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, but no later than at the end of this parliamentary session.

Ms. Wilde, Witness 3, Witness 4, Witness 5 and Witness 6 each made a statement and answered questions.

At 1:51 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Mark Palmer

Clerk of the Committee