Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights
Issue 28 - Minutes of Proceedings - June 10, 2013
OTTAWA, Monday, June 10, 2013
(38)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day, at 4:01 p.m. in room 160-S, Centre Block, the chair, the Honourable Mobina S. B. Jaffer, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Ataullahjan, Cordy, Hubley, Jaffer, Munson, Ngo, Oh and White. (9).
In attendance: Laura Barnett, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, May 29, 2013, the committee began its examination of Bill C-279, An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code (gender identity). (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 27.)
WITNESSES:
The Honourable Senator Grant Mitchell, sponsor of the bill in the Senate.
Canadian Bar Association:
Rebecca J. Bromwich, Lawyer;
Robert Peterson, Co-Chair, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Committee.
REAL Women of Canada:
Diane Watts, Researcher;
Mary Muys, Member of the Board of Directors.
Canadian Civil Liberties Association:
Noa Mendelsohn Aviv, Director, Equality Program (by video conference).
Canadian Human Rights Tribunal:
Susheel Gupta, Acting Chairperson.
As an individual:
Sara Davis Buechner, Associate Professor of Music, University of British Columbia (by video conference).
Canadian Professional Association for Transgender Health:
N. Nicole Nussbaum, President Elect.
The chair made opening remarks.
Ms. Mendelsohn Aviv, Ms. Watts, Ms. Bromwich and Mr. Peterson each made a presentation and answered questions.
At 4:55 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 4:59 p.m., the committee resumed.
Mr. Gupta, Ms. Nussbaum and Ms. Buechner each made a presentation and answered questions.
The Honourable Senator Mitchell made a presentation.
At 4:46 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 4:49 p.m., the committee resumed.
It was agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-279, An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code (gender identity).
It was agreed that the title stand postponed.
It was agreed that clause 1 carry.
It was agreed that clause 2 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 3 carry.
It was agreed that clause 4 carry.
It was agreed that clause 5 carry.
It was agreed that the title carry.
It was agreed that the bill carry, on division.
It was agreed that the chair report the bill to the Senate.
At 5:51 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Daniel Charbonneau
Clerk of the Committee