Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights

Issue No. 29 - Minutes of Proceedings - May 23, 2018

OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 23, 2018
(60)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 11:31 a.m., in room 9, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Wanda Elaine Thomas Bernard, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Ataullahjan, Bernard, Cordy, Hartling, Ngo and Pate (6).

In attendance: Jean-Philippe Duguay and Erin Shaw, Parliamentary Information and Research Services; Síofra McAllister, Communications Officer, Senate Communications Directorate.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

WITNESSES:

The Honourable Senator Salma Ataullahjan, sponsor of the bill.

As an individual:

David Matas, Lawyer.

International Coalition to end Transplant Abuse in China:

The Honourable David Kilgour, P.C.

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime:

Aimée Comrie, Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer, Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Section (by video conference).

Criminal Lawyers' Association:

Dominic Lamb, Certified Specialist in Criminal Law, Edelson & Friedman LLP.

Canadian Society of Transplantation:

Dr. Jagbir Gill, Director; Associate Professor of Medicine, University of British Columbia; Transplant Nephrologist, St. Paul's Hospital.

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.)

The chair made a statement.

The committee considered a draft budget application.

It was agreed that the following special study budget application to study issues relating to the human rights of prisoners in the correctional system, for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019, be approved for submission to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration:

GENERAL EXPENSES

Activity 1: Saskatchewan and Manitoba	$ 122,960
Activity 2: Scotland and Norway	$ 182,992
TOTAL	$ 305,952

At 11:45 a.m., pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, April 17, 2018, the committee began its examination of Bill S-240, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking in human organs).

The Honourable Senator Ataullahjan, Mr. Matas, and Mr. Kilgour made statements and answered questions.

At 12:24 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 12:33 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Lamb, Ms. Comrie, and Dr. Gill made statements and answered questions.

At 1:30 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Joëlle Nadeau
Clerk of the Committee