Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights

Issue 12 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Monday, October 30, 2006
(17)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day, at 4:10 p.m., in room 9, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable A. Raynell Andreychuk, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Dallaire, Kinsella, Lovelace Nicholas, Munson, Nancy Ruth, Pépin and Poy (8).

In attendance: Laura Barnett, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, April 27, 2006, the committee continued its consideration of Canada's international obligations in regard to the rights and freedoms of children. (For complete text of Order of Reference see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 2.)

WITNESSES:

FUJA Unity:

Linda Youngson, Representative;

Thelma Gillespie, Representative.

As individuals:

Agnes Lee;

Robert Marsh.

Ms. Youngson and Ms. Gillespie made statements and answered questions.

Mr. Marsh made a statement and together with Ms. Lee answered questions.

At 5:10 p.m., pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, April 27, 2006, the committee began its consideration of the authorization to invite the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development to appear with his officials before the committee for the purpose of updating the members of the committee on actions taken concerning the recommendations contained in the committee's report entitled A Hard Bed to lie in: Matrimonial Real Property on Reserve, tabled in the Senate November 4, 2003.

APPEARING:

The Honourable Jim Prentice, P.C., M.P., Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians.

WITNESSES:

Native Women's Association of Canada:

Beverley Jacobs, President.

Assembly of First Nations:

Bob Watts, Chief of Staff;

Debra Hanuse, Director, Law and Legislation.

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada:

Sandra Ginnish, Director General, Treaties, Research, International and Gender Equality Branch;

Holly King, Director, Women's issues and Gender Equality Directorate;

Margaret Buist, Legal Counsel.

As an individual:

Wendy Grant-John, Ministerial Representative.

Ms. Jacobs and Mr. Watts made statements and together with Ms. Hanuse answered questions.

The Honourable Jim Prentice made a statement and answered questions.

Ms. Grant-John made a statement and answered questions.

At 7:06 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Vanessa Moss-Norbury

Clerk of the Committee