Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights

Issue 11 - Minutes

OTTAWA, Monday, June 3, 2002
(18)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day 4:05 p.m., in room 257, East Block, the Chair, the Honourable A. Raynell Andreychuk, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Beaudoin, Ferretti Barth, Fraser, Jaffer, Kinsella, and Poy (7).

Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C. (1).

In attendance: Carol Hilling, Research Officer, Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, February 21, 2002, the Committee continued its examination of the status of Canada's adherence to international human rights instruments and on the process whereby Canada enters into, implements, and reports on such agreements. (For complete text of Order of reference see Proceedings of the Committee, Issue No. 8, dated March 18, 2002.)

WITNESSES:

From Action Canada for Population and Development:

Ms Jennifer Kitts, Senior Advisor, Sexual and Reproductive Rights;

Ms Katherine McDonald, Executive Director.

From the National Action Committee on the Status of Women:

Ms Sungee John, Secretary, Executive Board.

As an individual:

Ms Dinah L. Shelton, University of Notre Dame Law School, Indiana.

Misses Kitts, McDonald, and John made statements and answered questions.

Doctor Shelton made a statement and answered questions.

At 6:38 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

OTTAWA, Monday, June 17, 2002
(19)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day 2:08 p.m., in room 257, East Block, the Chair, the Honourable A. Raynell Andreychuk, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Beaudoin, Fraser, Kinsella, and Pearson (5).

In attendance: David Goetz and Carol Hilling, Research Officer, Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, February 21, 2002, the Committee continued its examination of the status of Canada's adherence to international human rights instruments and on the process whereby Canada enters into, implements, and reports on such agreements. (For complete text of Order of reference see Proceedings of the Committee, Issue No. 8, dated March 18, 2002.)

WITNESSES:

As an individual:

Mr. Peter Leuprecht, Dean, Faculty of Law, McGill University.

From the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee):

Mr. Roméo Saganash, Director of Quebec Relations;

Mr. Brian Craik, Director of Federal Relations;

Mr. Robert Epstein, Consultant.

Dean Leuprecht made a presentation and answered questions.

The committee proceeded to consider its business.

The Honourable Senator Fraser moved:

That, pursuant to Rule 94, Committee members disclose the existence, source, and nature, but not the value, of their private financial interests, whether held directly or indirectly, in respect of the Committee's order of reference relating to Canada's adherence to international human rights instruments and the process whereby Canada enters into, implements, and reports on such agreements, which the Committee was authorised by the Senate to study on February 21, 2002; and

That members be required to file the disclosure of private financial interests with the Clerk of the Committee by Monday, July 22, 2002, after which date members who have not filed such a disclosure shall, in accordance with Rule 94(7), be deemed to have declared that they have no private financial interests related to this order of reference; and

That, in accordance with Rule 94(7), future members of the Committee be required to complete this declaration within thirty days of being added to the membership of the Committee; and

That members be authorised, in accordance with Rule 94(5), to file with the Clerk of the Committee from time to time an update to this disclosure; and

That, the Clerk be authorised to provide copies of disclosures by facsimile or post to the public upon request.

After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

Mr. Saganash made a statement and, together with Mr. Epstein, answered questions.

At 3:58 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Till Heyde

Clerk of the Committee