THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Monday, February 12, 2024
(48)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 4:02 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, Clement, Cordy, Gerba, Jaffer and Omidvar (7).

Participating in the meeting: Robert Mason and Laura Salter, analysts, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, the committee began its study of the Government Response to the Fourth Report of the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights entitled “Human Rights of Federally-Sentenced Persons”, tabled in the Senate on June 16, 2021, during the Second Session of the Forty-third Parliament.

WITNESSES:

Public Safety Canada:

Chad Westmacott, Director General, Community Safety, Corrections and Criminal Justice, Crime Prevention Branch.

Correctional Service Canada:

Kathy Neil, Deputy Commissioner, Indigenous Corrections;

France Gratton, Assistant Commissioner, Correctional Operations and Programs;

Marie Doyle, Assistant Commissioner, Health Services.

John Howard Society of Canada:

Catherine Latimer, Executive Director.

Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies:

Nyki Kish, Associate Executive Director.

Kathy Neil made a statement and, together with France Gratton, Marie Doyle and Chad Westmacott, answered questions.

At 5 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:05 p.m., the committee resumed.

Catherine Latimer and Nyki Kish each made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:54 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Sébastien Payet

Clerk of the Committee