Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights

Issue No. 39 - Minutes of Proceedings - February 20, 2019

OTTAWA, Wednesday, February 20, 2019
(80)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 11:30 a.m., in room B30, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Wanda Elaine Thomas Bernard, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Bernard, Boyer, Brazeau, Cordy, Hartling, Martin, Ngo and Pate (8).

In attendance: Jean-Philippe Duguay, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament, and 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, 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:

Canadian Dental Association:

Mitch Taillon, President.

Canadian Association of Social Workers:

Ajay Pandhi, Vice President.

Fred Phelps, Executive Director.

As an individual:

Dianne Grenier, Lawyer and partner of a former prisoner.

The chair made a statement.

Mr. Taillon made a statement and answered questions.

Mr. Pandhi made a statement and, together with Mr. Phelps, answered questions.

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

At 12:37 p.m., the committee resumed.

The chair made a statement.

Ms. Grenier made a statement and answered questions.

At 1:05 p.m., the committee suspended.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, September 20, 2018, the committee continued its examination on 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.)

At 1:10 p.m., the committee, pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to consider a draft agenda.

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 1:15 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Barbara Reynolds
Clerk of the Committee