THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Monday, October 31, 2022
(24)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 4:01 p.m., in room B45, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Salma Ataullahjan, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Arnot, Ataullahjan, Gerba, Jaffer and Omidvar (5).

Participating in the meeting: Robert Mason and Brendan Naef, analysts, 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: Islamophobia in Canada)

WITNESSES:

Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at Canada:

Faheem Affan, Assistant National Secretary, Public Relations, and Director, Parliamentary Friends Association.

Canadian Anti-Hate Network:

Evan Balgord, Executive Director (by videoconference).

Mosaic Institute:

Leigh Naturkach, Executive Director (by videoconference).

As individuals:

Yasmin Jiwani, Professor, Department of Communication Studies, Concordia University (by videoconference).

Omar Mouallem, Author, Journalist and Filmmaker (by videoconference).

Citra Ahmed, Social Services Coordinator, Al Rashid Mosque, Edmonton (by videoconference).

Faheem Affan, Yasmin Jiwani and Omar Mouallem each made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:36 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:42 p.m., the committee resumed.

Evan Balgord, Leigh Naturkach and Citra Ahmed each made a statement and answered questions.

At 6:41 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Sébastien Payet

Clerk of the Committee