THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

TORONTO, Thursday, September 22, 2022
(21)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 1:20 p.m. ET, in the Trillium Ballroom, Main floor, Hilton Garden Inn Toronto Airport Hotel, the chair, the Honourable Salma Ataullahjan, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Ataullahjan, Gerba and Oh (3).

Participating in the meeting: Mireille Aubé, Procedural Clerk, and Lyne Héroux, Logistics Officer, Committees Directorate; Brendan Naef, Analyst, Library of Parliament; Amely Coulombe, Senate Events Coordinator, Communications Directorate.

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: Islamophobia in Canada)

WITNESSES:

Canadian Arab Institute:

Jad El Tal, Director of Research and Policy.

Islamic Relief Canada:

Reyhana Patel, Director of Communications and Government Relations.

Somali Canadian Association of Etobicoke:

Adem Ali, Director of Programs.

Islamic Foundation of Toronto:

Shaykh Yusuf Badat, Imam.

As individuals:

Nouman Ashraf, Assistant Professor, University of Toronto.

Anver Saloojee, Interim Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion, Toronto Metropolitan University.

Pursuant to rule 12-17 and the motion adopted by the committee on Wednesday, September 7, 2022, the committee met with reduced quorum for the purpose of receiving evidence from witnesses.

Jad El Tal, Reyhana Patel and Adem Ali each made a statement and answered questions.

At 2:14 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 2:40 p.m., the committee resumed.

Anver Saloojee, Nouman Ashraf and Shaykh Yusuf Badat each made a statement and answered questions.

At 3:48 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Sébastien Payet

Clerk of the Committee