Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights

Issue 12 - Minutes of Proceedings - October 30, 2014

OTTAWA, Thursday, October 30, 2014
(20)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 8:30 a.m., in room 9, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Mobina S. B. Jaffer, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Ataullahjan, Eaton, Eggleton, P.C., Jaffer, Nancy Ruth, Ngo and Tannas (8).

In attendance: Mark Palmer, Acting Procedural Clerk; Julia Nicol, Jean-Philippe Duguay, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, October 29, 2014, the committee began its examination of Bill S-219, An Act respecting a national day of commemoration of the exodus of Vietnamese refugees and their acceptance in Canada after the fall of Saigon and the end of the Vietnam War.

WITNESS:

The Honourable Senator Thanh Hai Ngo, sponsor of the bill.

The chair made a statement.

The Honourable Senator Ngo made a statement and answered questions.

At 8:57 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 9:09 a.m., the committee resumed, and pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, May 6, 2014, the committee continued its study to examine and report on how the mandates and practices of the UNHCR and UNICEF have evolved to meet the needs of displaced children in modern conflict situations, with particular attention to the current crisis in Syria. (For the complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 9.)

WITNESSES:

Refugees International:

Jeff Crisp, Senior Director for Policy and Advocacy (by video conference).

Mercy Corps:

Matt Streng, Senior Youth Development Advisor (by video conference).

Messrs. Crisp and Streng each made a statement and answered questions.

At 10:04 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Adam Thompson

Clerk of the Committee