THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Monday, April 4, 2022
(6)
[English]
Pursuant to the order of the Senate of March 31, 2022, the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day in room B30, Senate of Canada Building and with videoconference, at 5:06 p.m. ET, the chair, the Honourable Salma Ataullahjan, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senator Ataullahjan (1).
Members of the committee present by videoconference: The Honourable Senators Arnot, Boyer, Gerba, Hartling, Klyne, Martin and Omidvar (7).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Miville-Dechêne (1).
Participating in the meeting: Andrea Mugny, Procedural Clerk, Sébastien Payet and Martine Willox, legislative clerks and Marc-André Lanthier, Administrative Assistant, Committees Directorate; Robert Mason and Brendan Naef, analysts, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, the committee continued its consideration of Bill S-211, An Act to enact the Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act and to amend the Customs Tariff.
It was agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill S-211.
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 3 carry.
It was agreed that clause 4 carry.
It was agreed that clause 5 carry.
The chair asked whether clause 6 shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Gerba moved that Bill S-211 be amended in clause 6, on page 4, by adding the following after line 21:
“(d.1) any measures taken to remediate the loss of income to the most vulnerable families that results from any measure taken to eliminate the use of forced labour or child labour in its activities and supply chains;”.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was adopted.
It was agreed that clause 6, as amended, carry.
It was agreed that clause 7 carry.
It was agreed that clause 8 carry.
It was agreed that clause 9 carry.
It was agreed that clause 10 carry.
The chair asked whether clause 11 shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Gerba moved that Bill S-211 be amended in clause 11, on page 6, by adding the following after line 25:
“(d.1) any measures taken to remediate the loss of income to the most vulnerable families that results from any measure taken to eliminate the use of forced labour or child labour in its activities and supply chains;”.
At 5:32 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:33 p.m., the committee resumed.
Resuming debate on the motion in amendment of the Honourable Senator Gerba:
That Bill S-211 be amended in clause 11, on page 6, by adding the following after line 25:
“(d.1) any measures taken to remediate the loss of income to the most vulnerable families that results from any measure taken to eliminate the use of forced labour or child labour in its activities and supply chains;”.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Omidvar moved that Bill S-211 be amended in clause 11, on page 7, by replacing line 12 with the following:
“(b) the signature of one or more members of”.
The question being put on the motion in amendment, it was adopted.
It was agreed that clause 11, as amended, carry.
It was agreed that clause 12 carry.
It was agreed that clause 13 carry.
It was agreed that clause 14 carry.
It was agreed that clause 15 carry.
It was agreed that clause 16 carry.
It was agreed that clause 17 carry.
It was agreed that clause 18 carry.
It was agreed that clause 19 carry.
It was agreed that clause 20 carry.
It was agreed that clause 21 carry.
It was agreed that clause 22 carry.
It was agreed that clause 23 carry.
It was agreed that clause 24 carry.
It was agreed that clause 25 carry.
It was agreed that clause 26 carry.
It was agreed that clause 27 carry.
It was agreed that clause 28 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, as amended, carry.
It was agreed that the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel be authorized to make technical, numerical and typographical changes and adjustments to the amendments adopted by the committee.
At 5:37 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:37 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to discuss a draft report.
It was agreed that the committee allow the transcription of the in camera portion of today’s meeting, that one copy be kept with the clerk of the committee for consultation by committee members and/or staff, 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.
It was agreed that observations be appended to the committee’s report.
At 5:47 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:48 p.m., the committee resumed in public.
It was agreed that the chair report Bill S-211, with amendments and with observations, to the Senate.
At 5:49 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Daniel Charbonneau
Clerk of the Committee