THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Monday, April 20, 2026
(15)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 4 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, Arnot, Hébert, McCallum, McPhedran, Robinson, Senior and Wells (Alberta) (8).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Pate (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:
As individuals:
Martin Kwan, Legal Scholar and Affiliate Member, Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (by videoconference).
David Lie, Professor, Canada Research Chair and Schwartz Reisman Institute Director, University of Toronto.
Teresa Scassa, Canada Research Chair in Information Law and Policy, University of Ottawa.
Jennifer Pybus, Canada Research Chair in Data, Democracy and AI, Department of Politics, York University (by videoconference).
Mark Daley, Chief AI Officer & Professor, Western University (by videoconference).
Evelyn Forget, Distinguished Professor, University of Manitoba (by videoconference).
Martin Kwan and David Lie each made a statement and answered questions.
At 5:04 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:11 p.m., the committee resumed.
Teresa Scassa and Jennifer Pybus each made a statement and answered questions.
At 6:04 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 6:11 p.m., the committee resumed.
Mark Daley and Evelyn Forget each made a statement and answered questions.
At 6:58 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Caroline Woodward
Clerk of the Committee