Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights

Issue No. 16 - Minutes of Proceedings - March 29, 2017

OTTAWA, Wednesday, March 29, 2017
(31)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 11:35 a.m., in room 9, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Jim Munson, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Bernard, Hartling, Hubley, Martin, McPhedran, Munson, Ngo, Omidvar and Pate (10).

In attendance: Jean-Philippe Duguay and Erin Shaw, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, March 28, 2017, the committee began its study on the issues relating to human rights and, inter alia, to review the machinery of government dealing with Canada's international and national human rights obligations.

WITNESS:

Export Development Canada:

Christopher Pullen, Director, Environmental Advisory Services.

Mr. Pullen made a statement and answered questions.

At 12:35 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 12:41 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to consider a draft agenda (future business).

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 portion 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 the parliamentary session.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, December 15, 2016, the committee continued its study on the issues relating to the human rights of prisoners in the correctional system. (For complete text of order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 14.)

At 12:52 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 12:53 p.m., the committee resumed in public.

It was agreed that the special study budget application for public hearings and fact-finding in the Brockville, Kingston and Montreal areas, part of the committee's study on issues pertaining to human rights of prisoners, for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018, be approved, with the changes as we discussed today, and that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to approve the final version of the budget, for the chair to submit to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.

SUMMARY OF BUDGET

Activity 1: Brockville, Kingston,
Montreal $ 71, 250

TOTAL $ 71, 250

At 12:54 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Mark Palmer

Clerk of the Committee