Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights
Issue No. 38 - Minutes of Proceedings - January 30, 2019
OTTAWA, Wednesday, January 30, 2019
(78)
[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, Brazeau and Pate (5).
In attendance: Jean-Philippe Duguay and Alexandra Smith, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament; Síofra McAllister, Communications Officer, Senate Communications Directorate; Odette Labarge, Graphic Designer, 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:
Office of the Correctional Investigator:
Ivan Zinger, Correctional Investigator of Canada;
Marie-France Kingsley, Executive Director.
As an individual:
Howard Sapers, Former Correctional Investigator of Canada.
Canadian Human Rights Commission:
Sheila Osborne-Brown, Senior Legal Counsel;
Marcella Daye, Senior Policy Advisor.
As an individual:
Kyle Kirkup, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa.
West Coast Prison Justice Society:
Jennifer Metcalfe, Executive Director, Prisoners' Legal Services (by video conference).
The chair made a statement.
Mr. Zinger made a statement and answered questions.
Mr. Sapers made a statement and answered questions.
At 12:30 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 12:36 p.m., the committee resumed.
Ms. Osborne-Brown made a statement and, together with Ms. Daye, answered questions.
Mr. Kirkup made a statement and answered questions.
Ms. Metcalfe made a statement and answered questions.
It was agreed:
That the committee meet in camera.
At 1:30 p.m., the committee suspended.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, September 20, 2018, the committee continued 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.) (Topic: The Human Rights Situation of the Rohingya)
At 1:35 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to consider a draft report.
It was agreed:
That senators' staff is permitted to remain in the room during the in camera meeting.
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 the 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 the end of this parliamentary session.
At 1:51 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Barbara Reynolds
Clerk of the Committee