Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights

Issue No. 24 - Minutes of Proceedings - January 31, 2018

OTTAWA, Wednesday, January 31, 2018
(49)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 11:29 a.m., in room 9, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Wanda Elaine Thomas Bernard, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Ataullahjan, Bernard, Brazeau, Cordy, Hartling, Ngo and Pate (8).

In attendance: Jean-Philippe Duguay and Erin Shaw, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament; Marcy Galipeau, Communications Officer, Senate Communications Directorate.

Also present: The official reporters 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:

Mental Health Commission of Canada:

Louise Bradley, President and Chief Executive Officer;

Anne-Marie Hourigan, Retired Judge of the Ontario Court of Justice and Director, Board of Directors.

The chair made a statement.

Ms. Bradley and Ms. Hourigan made statements and answered questions.

At 12:38 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 12:43 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to consider two draft reports.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, March 28, 2017, the committee continued 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. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 16.)

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(s) 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 analyst(s); 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.

The committee began its consideration of two draft reports.

At 1:10 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Mark Palmer
Clerk of the Committee