THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Monday, April 13, 2026
(14)
[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 Paulette Senior, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Arnold, Karetak-Lindell, McCallum, McPhedran, Robinson, Senior and Wells (Alberta) (7).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Lewis (1).
Participating in the meeting: Robert Mason and Madalina Chesoi, Analysts, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, February 5, 2026, the committee continued its study on the impact of artificial intelligence on human rights and economic security in Canada, especially in relation to vulnerable groups and the international human right to work.
WITNESSES:
Arteria AI Inc.:
Shelby Austin, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder (by videoconference).
The Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University:
Mahtab Laghaei, Policy Analyst (by videoconference);
Viet Vu, Manager, Economic Research (by videoconference).
Canadian Union of Public Employees:
Sarah Ryan, Acting Research Director.
C.D. Howe Institute:
Rosalie Wyonch, Associate Director of Research (by videoconference).
Prince Edward Island Federation of Agriculture:
Donald Killorn, Executive Director.
At 4:05 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 4:09 p.m., the committee resumed.
Shelby Austin and Mahtab Laghaei each made a statement and, together with Viet Vu, answered questions.
At 5:01 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:09 p.m., the committee resumed.
Sarah Ryan, Rosalie Wyonch and Donald Killorn each made a statement and answered questions.
At 6:07 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 6:16 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to discuss a draft agenda (future business).
It was agreed that the committee allow the audio recording and/or transcription 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 or by the committee analysts, and that the audio recording and/or transcription be destroyed by the clerk of the committee when authorized to do so by the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, but no later than at the end of this parliamentary session.
It was agreed that the chair seek authority from the Senate for an order of reference to examine and report on the health, safety, and well-being of 2SLGBTQI+ youth in Canada.
At 6:30 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Caroline Woodward
Clerk of the Committee