THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL AFFAIRS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Wednesday, November 26, 2025
(16)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 4:15 p.m., in room B45, Senate of Canada Building, the deputy chair, the Honourable Flordeliz (Gigi) Osler, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Arnold, Boudreau, Burey, Cuzner, Greenwood, Hay, McPhedran, Moodie, Muggli, Osler, Petitclerc and Senior (12).

Participating in the meeting: Diana Ambrozas, Analyst, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, the committee continued its consideration of Bill S-212, An Act respecting a national strategy for children and youth in Canada.

WITNESSES:

Kids Help Phone:

Laetitia Satam, Co-Chair, Kids Help Phone’s National Youth Council (by videoconference);

Andréanne Deschamps, Senior Vice President and Head of Clinical Services and Operations (by videoconference).

Canadian Council of Child and Youth Advocates:

Lisa Broda, President and Advocate for Children and Youth, Saskatchewan Advocate for Children and Youth’s Office (by videoconference);

Marci Macomber, Executive Director, Investigations and Systemics, Saskatchewan Advocate for Children and Youth’s Office (by videoconference).

Collectif petite enfance:

Elise Bouchard-Bonneville, Director;

Julie Cailliau, Director, Early Childhood Observatory.

CARE Canada:

Shreya Rao, Youth Champion (by videoconference).

Children First Canada:

Josephine Maharaj, Youth Advisor (by videoconference).

Assembly of Seven Generations:

Gabrielle Fayant, Co-Founder (by videoconference).

Andréanne Deschamps, Laetitia Satam, Lisa Broda, Elise Bouchard-Bonneville and Julie Cailliau each made a statement and, together with Marci Macomber, answered questions.

At 5:08 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:17 p.m., the committee resumed.

Shreya Rao and Josephine Maharaj each made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:45 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:49 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 staff be allowed to remain in the room for the in camera portion of today’s meeting.

It was agreed that the committee allow the audio recording 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 and staff, and that the audio recording 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.

At 6:15 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Ferda Simpson

Clerk of the Committee