Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights
Issue 29 - Minutes of Proceedings - June 25, 2013
OTTAWA, Tuesday, June 25, 2013
(39)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day, at 10 a.m., in room 2, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Mobina S. B. Jaffer, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Ataullahjan, Hubley, Jaffer, Munson, Ngo, Oh, White and Zimmer. (9).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Baker, P.C, Eggleton, P.C., Fraser and Oliver (4).
In attendance: Laura Barnett, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, June 20, 2013, the committee began its examination of Bill C-304, An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act (protecting freedom).
WITNESSES:
Brian Storseth, M.P., sponsor of the bill (by video conference).
University of Windsor:
Richard Moon, Professor, Faculty of Law (by video conference).
Canadian Bar Association:
Mark H. Toews, Member of the Executive, Constitutional and Human Rights Law Section;
Kerri Froc, Staff Lawyer, Law Reform and Equality.
Canadian Civil Liberties Association:
Cara Zwibel, Director, Fundamental Freedoms Program (by video conference).
University of Calgary:
Kathleen E. Mahoney, Professor, Faculty of Law (by video conference).
University of Ottawa:
Jane Bailey, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law.
Women's Legal Education and Action Fund:
Jo-Ann R. Kolmes, Co-counsel, Saskatchewan (Human Rights Commission) v. Whatcott.
The chair made opening remarks.
Mr. Storseth made a presentation and answered questions.
At 10:28 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 10:31 a.m., the committee resumed.
Mr. Moon made a presentation and answered questions.
The Honourable Senator White moved:
That Pearl Eliadis' presentation, distributed to the committee members, be filed as an exhibit. (Exhibit 5900- 1.41/H1-C-304, 9, ``1'')
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 11:30 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 11:43 p.m., the committee resumed.
Ms. Zwibel, Ms. Froc and Mr. Toews each made a presentation and answered questions.
At 1:19 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 2:32 p.m., the committee resumed.
Ms. Mahoney, Ms. Bailey and Ms. Kolmes each made a presentation and answered questions.
At 3:45 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 3:48 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16 (1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to consider a draft report.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, June 22, 2011, the committee continued its examination of 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. 1.)
The committee began its consideration of a draft report.
It was agreed that the report be adopted.
At 3:50 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Daniel Charbonneau
Clerk of the Committee