THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Monday, November 4, 2024
(58)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 4:59 p.m., in room B45, Senate of Canada Building, the deputy chair, the Honourable Wanda Thomas Bernard, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Arnot, Bernard, Gerba, Pate and Ross (5).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Wells (Alberta) (1).

Participating in the meeting: Sébastien Payet, Procedural Clerk, Committees Directorate; Robert Mason, Analyst, 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: Aging Out of Foster Care)

WITNESSES:

Saskatchewan Advocate for Children and Youth’s Office:

Lisa Broda, Advocate for Children and Youth and President, Canadian Council of Child and Youth Advocates (by videoconference);

Marci Macomber, Director, Investigations and Systemics (by videoconference).

Yukon Child and Youth Advocate Office:

Annette King, Children and Youth Advocate and Vice-President, Canadian Council of Child and Youth Advocates (by videoconference).

First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commission:

Derek B. Montour, President.

Nunavut Representative for Children and Youth’s Office:

Jane Bates, Representative for Children and Youth (by videoconference).

Lisa Broda and Annette King each made a statement and, together with Marci Macomber, answered questions.

At 6:03 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 6:09 p.m., the committee resumed.

Derek B. Montour and Jane Bates each made a statement and answered questions.

At 7:04 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 7:09 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to discuss a draft agenda (future business).

At 7:10 p.m., pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, the committee continued 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.

It was agreed that the committee allow the audio recording 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 or by the committee analysts, and that the audio recording be destroyed by the clerk when authorized to do so by the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, but no later than at the end of this parliamentary session.

It was agreed that the letter from the Prime Minister to Senator Ataullahjan, as chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights, dated May 28, 2024 and the letter from Minister LeBlanc to Senator Ataullahjan, as chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights, dated October 7, 2024 – which were distributed to all committee members – be considered as evidence of the committee and published on the committee’s website under the order of reference “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.”

At 7:22 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Caroline Woodward

Clerk of the Committee