THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Monday, May 8, 2023
(37)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 4:13 p.m., in room B45, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Salma Ataullahjan, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Arnot, Ataullahjan, Bernard, Gerba, Jaffer, Omidvar and Pate (7).

Participating in the meeting: Robert Mason and Brendan Naef, analysts, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, March 3, 2022, the committee continued its study of such issues as may arise from time to time relating to human rights generally. (Topic: Anti-Black Racism, Sexism and Systemic Discrimination in the Canadian Human Rights Commission)

WITNESSES:

Canadian Human Rights Commission:

Charlotte-Anne Malischewski, Interim Chief Commissioner;

Ian Fine, Executive Director;

Holly Holtman, Director General and Senior General Counsel.

Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat:

Carole Bidal, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Employee Relations and Total Compensation, Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer.

Canadian Heritage:

Gaveen Cadotte, Assistant Deputy Minister, Anti-Racism Strategy and Action Plan on Combatting Hate Sector;

Peter Flegel, Executive Director, Federal Anti-Racism Secretariat.

As an individual:

Bernadeth Betchi, Employee of the Canadian Human Rights Commission.

Bernadeth Betchi made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:09 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:23 p.m., the committee resumed.

Charlotte-Anne Malischewski made a statement and, together with Ian Fine and Holly Holtman, answered questions.

At 6:30 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 6:39 p.m., the committee resumed.

Gaveen Cadotte and Carole Bidal each made a statement and, together with Peter Flegel, answered questions.

At 7:26 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Sébastien Payet

Clerk of the Committee