Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights
Issue No. 30 - Minutes of Proceedings - June 6, 2018
OTTAWA, Wednesday, June 6, 2018
(62)
[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 Andreychuk, Ataullahjan, Bernard, Cordy, Hartling, Martin, Ngo, Omidvar and Pate (9).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Coyle and Dawson (2).
In attendance: Jean-Philippe Duguay, Erin Shaw, and Ryan van den Berg, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament; Josiane St-Amour, Communications Officer, Senate Communications Directorate.
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, March 28, 2017, the committee continued its study the 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. 20.) (Topic: The human rights situation of the Rohingya.)
WITNESS:
As an individual:
The Honourable Bob Rae, P.C., C.C., O.Ont., Q.C., Special Envoy of the Prime Minister to Myanmar.
It was agreed that Senate Communications be authorized to take photos during the hearing.
The chair made a statement.
Mr. Rae made a statement and answered questions.
At 12:43 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 12:49 p.m., the committee resumed.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, May 3, 2018, the committee continued its examination of Bill C-309, An Act to establish Gender Equality Week.
It was agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-309.
It was agreed that the title stand postponed.
It was agreed that the preamble stand postponed.
It was agreed that clause 1, which contains the short title, stand postponed.
It was agreed that clause 2 carry.
It was agreed that clause 1, which contains the short title, carry.
It was agreed that the preamble carry.
It was agreed that the title carry.
It was agreed that the bill carry.
It was agreed that Bill C-309, An Act to establish Gender Equality Week, be reported to the Senate.
At 12:55 p.m., pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, April 17, 2018, the committee continued its examination of Bill S-240, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking in human organs). (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 29.)
It was agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill S-240.
It was agreed that the title stand postponed.
It was agreed that clause 1 carry.
The chair asked whether clause 2 shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Ataullahjan moved:
That Bill S-240 be amended in clause 2, on page 2,
(a) by replacing line 1 with the following:
"(a) obtains an organ to be transplanted into'';
(b) by replacing line 8 with the following:
"moval of an organ from the body of another'';
(c) by replacing line 14 with the following:
"tion with a person who removes an organ'';
(d) by replacing line 20 with the following:
"pates in or facilitates the obtaining of an organ''; and
(e) by replacing line 22 with the following:
"ing that organ transplanted into their body or''.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was adopted.
The chair asked whether clause 2, as amended, shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Ataullahjan moved:
That Bill S-240 be amended in clause 2, on page 2, by adding the following after line 18:
"(1.1) For the purpose of this section, informed consent means consent that is given by a person capable of making decisions with respect to health matters and with knowledge and understanding of all material facts, including the nature of the organ removal procedure, the risks involved and the potential side effects.''.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was adopted.
The chair asked whether clause 2, as amended, shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Ataullahjan moved:
That Bill S-240 be amended in clause 2, on page 2, by replacing line 28 with the following:
"imprisonment for a term of not more than 14 years.''.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was adopted.
The chair asked whether clause 2, as amended, shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Ataullahjan moved:
That Bill S-240 be amended on page 2, in clause 2, by adding the following after line 28:
"240.2 A medical practitioner as defined in section 241.1 who treats a person in relation to an organ transplant must, as soon as reasonable practicable, report to the authority designated by order of the Governor in Council for that purpose the name of that person, if known, and the fact that the person has received an organ transplant.''.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was adopted.
It was agreed that clause 2, as amended, carry.
It was agreed that clause 3 carry.
It was agreed that the title carry.
It was agreed that the bill, as amended, carry.
It was agreed that Bill S-240, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking in human organs), as amended, be reported to the Senate.
At 1:02 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Joëlle Nadeau
Clerk of the Committee