Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights

Issue No. 37 - Minutes of Proceedings - December 5, 2018

OTTAWA, Wednesday, December 5, 2018
(76)

[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 Ataullahjan, Bernard, Boyer, Cordy, Hartling, Martin, Ngo and Pate (8).

In attendance: Jean-Philippe Duguay and Alexandra Smith, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament; Síofra McAllister, 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, September 20, 2018, the committee continued its study to examine and monitor 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. 34.)

WITNESSES:

Canadian Human Rights Commission:

Marie-Claude Landry, Chief Commissioner;

Monette Maillet, Deputy Executive Director and Senior General Counsel.

As individuals:

Robyn Maynard, Author of Policing Black Lives: State Violence in Canada from Slavery to the Present (by video conference);

Alice Kim.

Membertou Band Council:

Cheryl Knockwood, Governance Coordinator (by video conference).

Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children:

Kathy Vandergrift, Chair.

International Federation of Journalists:

Martin O'Hanlon, Chair, CWA Canada, The Media Union.

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees:

Jean-Nicolas Beuze, UNHCR Representative in Canada.

Plan International Canada:

Mohammed Emrul Hasan, Vice President, Program Effectiveness and Quality.

The chair made a statement.

It was agreed that the committee allow photography during the meeting.

Ms. Landry made a statement and, together with Ms. Maillet, answered questions.

Ms. Maynard, Ms. Knockwood and Ms. Vandergrift each made a statement and answered questions.

At 12:28 p.m., the committee suspended.

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

The chair made a statement.

Mr. O'Hanlon, Mr. Beuze, Ms. Kim and Mr. Hasan each made a statement and answered questions.

At 1:30 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 1:36 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(c) and rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to consider a draft report and draft agenda (future business).

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.)

It was agreed that senators' staff be permitted to remain in the room during the in camera meeting.

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

At 1:44 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Barbara Reynolds
Clerk of the Committee