Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights

Issue No. 33 - Minutes of Proceedings - October 4, 2018

WINNIPEG, Thursday, October 4, 2018
(69)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 5:59 p.m., in the Event Hall, Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre, the chair, the Honourable Wanda Elaine Thomas Bernard, presiding.

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

In attendance: Jean-Philippe Duguay and Alexandra Smith, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament; Sarah Dea, 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:

John Howard Society of Manitoba:

John Hutton, Executive Director.

The Micah Mission:

David Feick, Executive Director.

Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon:

Dianne Anderson, Coordinator, Restorative Ministry.

Elizabeth Fry Society of Manitoba:

Ashley Pankiw, Provincial Reintegration Worker.

Indigenous Women's Healing Centre:

Annetta Armstrong, Executive Director.

Manitoba Metis Federation:

Julyda Lagimodiere, Minister of Justice.

Southern Chiefs' Organization:

Chantell Barker, Community Justice Development Coordinator.

As individuals:

Ryan Steven Beardy, Former Inmate; Political Science Student, University of Winnipeg; Board of Directors, John Howard Society;

Katharina Maier, Assistant Professor, Criminal Justice, University of Winnipeg;

Jason Demers, Lecturer, Department of English, University of Regina;

Serena Hickes.

Black Space Winnipeg:

Alexa Potashnik, President and Founder.

Jones Law Office:

Zilla Jones, Defence Counsel.

Legal Aid Manitoba:

Allison Fenske, Attorney, Public Interest Law Centre.

The chair made a statement.

It was agreed that photography and filming be authorized during this meeting.

Mr. Hutton, Mr. Feick, Ms. Anderson, Ms. Pankiw, and Ms. Armstrong made statements and answered questions.

At 6:51 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 7:04 p.m., the committee resumed.

Ms. Lagimodiere, Ms. Barker, and Mr. Beardy made statements and answered questions.

At 7:59 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 8:08 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Demers, Ms. Maier, Ms. Potashnik, Ms. Jones, and Ms. Fenske made statements and answered questions.

At 9:03 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 9:11 p.m., the committee resumed.

The committee invited the public to make statements in a town hall format.

Ms. Hickes made a statement and answered questions.

At 9:23 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Joëlle Nadeau
Clerk of the Committee