THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON OFFICIAL LANGUAGES

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Monday, April 15, 2024
(46)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages met this day at 5:01 p.m., in room B30, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable René Cormier, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Aucoin, Clement, Cormier, Dalphond, Mégie, Moncion and Poirier (7).

Participating in the meeting: Catlin Seibel-Kamél, Legislative Clerk, Committees Directorate; Marie-Ève Hudon, Analyst, Library of Parliament; Jérémie Spadafora, Communications Officer, Communications, Broadcasting and Publications Directorate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, March 9, 2023, the committee continued its study of matters relating to minority-language health services.

WITNESSES:

Health Association of African Canadians:

Malanga-Georges Liboy, Member (by videoconference);

Yalla Sangaré, Member (by videoconference).

Gay and Grey Montreal:

Ada L. Sinacore, Board Member.

As individuals:

Jude Mary Cénat, Associate Professor and Director of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Black Health, University of Ottawa;

Josephine Etowa, Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa;

Julia Chai, Medical Student, University of Calgary;

Dr. Gail Ann Knudson, Professor of Medicine, University of British Columbia (by videoconference);

Annie Pullen Sansfaçon, Professor, School of Social Work, University of Montréal, former Canada Research Chair on Transgender Children and Their Families.

Jude Mary Cénat and Josephine Etowa each made a statement and answered questions.

Yalla Sangaré and Malanga-Georges Liboy made a statement together and answered questions.

At 6:02 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 6:08 p.m., the committee resumed.

Julia Chai, Ada L. Sinacore, Annie Pullen Sansfaçon and Gail Ann Knudson each made a statement and answered questions.

At 7:29 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 7:34 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee proceeded in camera to discuss a draft agenda (future business).

It was agreed that senators’ staff be permitted to remain in the room during the in camera portion of the meeting.

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 and/or staff, and that the transcript 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.

At 8:07 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Karine Déquier

Clerk of the Committee