Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights

Issue No. 18 - Minutes of Proceedings - May 18, 2017

MONTRÉAL, Thursday, May 18, 2017
(36)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 6:51 p.m., in Ovation Room, Hyatt Regency Montreal, the chair, the Honourable Jim Munson, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators McPhedran, Munson and Pate (3).

In attendance: Jean-Philippe Duguay and Erin Shaw, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament; Tony Spears, Chief Writer and Media Relations, Senate Communications Directorate.

Also present: The official reporter of the Senate.

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 the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 14.)

WITNESSES:

Relais Famille:

Isabelle Parent, President of the Board of Directors;

Kim Parisé, Coordinator.

Elizabeth Fry Society of Quebec:

Ruth Gagnon, Director General.

DESTA Black Youth Network:

Will Prosper;

Pharaoh Hamid Freeman, Executive Director.

As individuals:

Rene Callahan-St John;

Maggie Smith;

Parker Finley.

The chair made a statement.

Ms. Parent, Ms. Parisé, Ms. Gagnon, Mr. Prosper and Mr. Freeman each made statements and answered questions.

At 8:35 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 8:41 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Callahan-St John, Ms. Smith, and Mr. Finley, each made statements and answered questions.

At 9:06 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Mark Palmer

Clerk of the Committee