THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Monday, April 8, 2024
(50)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 4:50 p.m., in room B45, Senate of Canada Building.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Bernard, Clement, Omidvar, Petten and Simons (5).

Participating in the meeting: Robert Mason and Martin McCallum, analysts, Library of Parliament; Amely Coulombe, Communications Officer, Communications, Broadcasting and Publications Directorate.

The clerk informed the committee of the unavoidable absences of the chair and deputy chair and presided over the election of an acting chair.

The Honourable Senator Clement moved that the Honourable Senator Omidvar be the acting chair.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The acting chair took the chair.

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: Forced Global Displacement)

WITNESSES:

Canadian Council for Refugees:

Gauri Sreenivasan, Co-Executive Director, Policy and Advocacy.

Refugee Council USA:

John Slocum, Executive Director (by videoconference).

As individuals:

Efrat Arbel, Associate Professor of Law, University of British Columbia (by videoconference);

Jamie Chai Yun Liew, Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa (by videoconference);

Jennifer Bond, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Pathways International and Chair, Global Refugee Sponsorship Initiative;

Shauna Labman, Executive Director and Associate Professor, Global College, University of Winnipeg (by videoconference).

The Honourable Senator Clement moved that notwithstanding usual practice, pursuant to rule 12-17, the committee be authorized to hold this afternoon’s meeting without a quorum if necessary for the purpose of receiving evidence, provided that two committee members are present.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

Efrat Arbel and Jamie Chai Yun Liew each made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:37 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:41 p.m., the committee resumed.

Gauri Sreenivasan and John Slocum each made a statement and answered questions.

At 6:39 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 6:49 p.m., the committee resumed.

Jennifer Bond and Shauna Labman each made a statement and answered questions.

At 7:50 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Sébastien Payet

Clerk of the Committee