Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights

Issue No. 26 - Minutes of Proceedings - February 28, 2018

OTTAWA, Wednesday, February 28, 2018
(53)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 11:31 a.m., in room 2, 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, Martin, Ngo and Pate (9).

In attendance: Jean-Philippe Duguay and Ryan van den Berg, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament; Karlee Squires and Síofra McAllister, Communications Officers, Senate Communications Directorate.

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 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.)

WITNESSES:

La Maison d'Haiti:

Marjorie Villefranche, Director General (by video conference);

Guerda Amazon, Coordinator (by video conference).

Black Cultural Society for Nova Scotia:

Craig Smith, Board Chair and President.

UBC Africa Awareness Initiative:

Kwezi Rutega, Vice-President of External Affairs (by video conference);

Towela Tembo, Vice-President of External Affairs (by video conference);

Agang Tema, Global Lounge Representative.

BC Black History Awareness Society:

Ron Nicholson, Member and Past Vice-President (by video conference).

As an individual:

Michelle Williams, Professor, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University.

It was agreed that Senate Communications be authorized to take photographs during this meeting.

The chair made a statement.

Ms. Villefranche, Mr. Smith, Mr. Nicholson, Ms. Williams, and Mr. Tema made a statement and, together with Ms. Amazon, Ms. Rutega, and Ms. Tembo, answered questions.

At 12:31 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 12:36 p.m., the committee resumed.

At 1:31 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Mark Palmer
Clerk of the Committee