Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights

Issue No. 31 - Minutes of Proceedings - June 13, 2018

OTTAWA, Wednesday, June 13, 2018
(64)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 11:30 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, Cordy, Cormier, Hartling, Martin, McPhedran, Ngo and Pate (10).

In attendance: Erin Shaw, Jean-Philippe Duguay, and Ryan van den Berg, 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 Thursday, June 7, 2018, the committee continued its examination of Bill C-65, An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code (harassment and violence), the Parliamentary Employment and Staff Relations Act and the Budget Implementation Act, 2017, No. 1.

WITNESSES:

Pink Larkin:

Gail Gatchalian, Lawyer and Workplace Investigator (by video conference).

Native Women's Association of Canada:

Francyne Joe, President.

National Association of Women and the Law:

Anne Levesque, Co-Chair of the National Steering Committee;

Suki Beavers, Project Director.

As individuals:

Phanikiran Radhakrishnan, Associate Professor, University of Toronto;

Witness A;

Witness B;

Witness C;

Witness D;

Witness E.

The chair made a statement.

Ms. Gatchalian, Ms. Joe, Ms. Beavers, Ms. Levesque, and Ms. Radhakrishnan made statements and answered questions.

At 12:30 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 12:39 p.m., the committee resumed in camera, pursuant to the special order of the Senate adopted on Monday, June 11, 2018, to hear witnesses and gather specialized or sensitive information in relation to its study on Bill C-65.

It was agreed that the committee allow the transcription of the in camera portion of today's meeting, that one copy be kept with the clerk of the committee for consultation by committee members or staff present, 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.

At 1:56 p.m., the Honourable Senator Deacon replaced the Honourable Senator Cormier and the Honourable Senator McPhedran replaced the Honourable Senator Pate as members of the committee.

At 2:17 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Joëlle Nadeau
Clerk of the Committee