Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights
Issue 4 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Monday, April 7, 2008
(9)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day in camera at 5:03 p.m., in room 257, East Block, the chair, the Honourable A. Raynell Andreychuk, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Jaffer, Lovelace Nicholas, Munson and Oliver (5).
In attendance: Laura Barnett, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee discussed a draft agenda (future business).
It was moved that the chair be authorized to seek permission from the Senate to extend the scope of its current order of reference on employment equity to include examination of labour market outcomes for minority groups in the private sector.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved that the chair be authorized to seek permission from the Senate to examine the following order of reference:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights be authorized to examine and report on the issue of the sexual exploitation of persons, with particular emphasis on children, including questions of trafficking in children, prostitution, sex tourism, pornography, and the sexual exploitation of children on the Internet; and
That the committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than June 30, 2009 and that the committee retain until October 31, 2009 all powers necessary to publicize its findings.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 6:09 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Monday, April 14, 2008
(10)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 5:04 p.m., in room 160-S, Centre Block, the chair, the Honourable A. Raynell Andreychuk, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Jaffer, Lovelace Nicholas and Munson (4).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Phalen and Stratton (2).
In attendance: Laura Barnett, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, March 5, 2008, the committee began its consideration of Bill S-218, An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and to enact certain other measures, in order to provide assistance and protection to victims of human trafficking.
WITNESSES:
Senate of Canada:
The Honourable Gerard A. Phalen, sponsor of the bill;
Carolyn Hume, Policy Advisor to Senator Phalen.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada:
Brenna MacNeil, Director, Social Policy and Programs, Immigration Branch;
Robert Mundie, Director, Strategic Priorities Division, Strategic Policy Branch.
Health Canada:
Cindy Moriarty, Director, Bureau of Women's Health and Gender Based Analysis.
Canadian Council for Refugees:
Janet Dench, Executive Director;
Loly Rico, Chair, Anti-Trafficking Subcommittee.
As an individual (by video conference):
Benjamin Perrin, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Law, University of British Columbia.
The chair made an opening statement.
The Honourable Senator Phalen made a statement and, together with Ms. Hume, answered questions.
At 5:52 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:54 p.m., the committee resumed.
Ms. MacNeil made a statement and, together with Mr. Mundie and Ms. Moriarty, answered questions.
At 6:23 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 6:25 p.m., the committee resumed.
Ms. Rico and Ms. Dench each made a statement and, together, answered questions.
At 7:08 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 7:14 p.m., the committee resumed.
Mr. Perrin made a statement and answered questions.
At 7:47 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Monday, April 28, 2008
(11)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 5:06 p.m., in room 2, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable A. Raynell Andreychuk, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Di Nino, Goldstein, Jaffer, Oliver, Poy and Trenholme Counsell (7).
In attendance: Laura Barnett, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, March 4, 2008, the committee began its consideration of Bill C-280, An Act to Amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (coming into force of sections 110, 111 and 171).
WITNESSES:
Senate of Canada:
The Honourable Yoine Goldstein, sponsor of the bill.
House of Commons:
Nicole Demers, M.P. (Laval).
Citizenship and Immigration Canada:
Andrea Lyon, Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic and Program Policy;
Dick Graham, Acting Director General, Refugees Branch.
Canada Border Services Agency:
Susan Kramer, Director, Inland Enforcement.
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada:
Jean Bélanger, Director General, Corporate Planning and Services Branch;
Geoff Zerr, Director, Policy and Procedures;
François Guilbault, Acting Senior General Counsel.
The chair made an opening statement.
The Honourable Senator Goldstein and Ms. Demers, M.P., each made a statement and, together, answered questions.
At 6:16 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 6:19 p.m., the committee resumed.
Ms. Lyon and Ms. Kramer each made a statement and, together with Mr. Graham, answered questions.
At 7:24 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 7:28 p.m., the committee resumed.
Mr. Zerr made a statement and, together with Mr. Bélanger and Mr. Guilbault, answered questions.
At 8:04 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Jessica Richardson
Clerk of the Committee