Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights
Issue 14 - Minutes of Proceedings - December 10, 2014
OTTAWA, Wednesday, December 10, 2014
(25)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 1:03 p.m., in room 160-S, Centre Block, the deputy chair, the Honourable Salma Ataullahjan, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Ataullahjan, Cowan, Eaton, Eggleton, P.C., Frum, Hubley, Jaffer, Nancy Ruth, Ngo and Tannas (11).
In attendance: Mark Palmer, Acting Procedural Clerk; Julia Nicol and Jean-Philippe Duguay, 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, October 29, 2014, the committee continued its study of Bill S-7, An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the Civil Marriage Act and the Criminal Code and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.
WITNESSES:
Justice Canada:
Gillian Blackell, Senior Counsel, Family, Children and Youth Sector;
Joanne Klineberg, Senior Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section.
Ms. Blackell and Ms. Klineberg answered questions.
It was agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill S-7, An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the Civil Marriage Act and the Criminal Code and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.
It was agreed that the title stand postponed.
It was agreed that clause 1, which contains the short title, stand postponed.
It was agreed that clause 2 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 3 carry, on division.
The chair asked whether clause 4 shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Jaffer moved:
That Bill S-7 be amended in clause 4, on page 2, by replacing line 6 with the following:
''2.2 No person who is under the age of 18''.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was defeated.
It was agreed that clause 4 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 5 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 6 carry, on division.
The chair asked whether clause 7 shall carry.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Andreychuk, Ataullahjan, Eaton, Ngo, Tannas — 5
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Eggleton, Hubley, Jaffer, Nancy Ruth — 4
ABSTENTIONS
The Honourable Senators
Nil.
It was agreed that clause 8 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 9 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 10 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 11 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 12 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 13 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 14 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 15 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 16 carry, on division.
The chair asked whether clause 1, which contains the short title, shall carry.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Andreychuk, Ataullahjan, Eaton, Ngo, Tannas — 5
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Eggleton, Hubley, Jaffer, Nancy Ruth — 4
ABSTENTIONS
The Honourable Senators
Nil.
It was agreed that the title carry.
The chair asked whether the bill shall carry.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Andreychuk, Ataullahjan, Eaton, Nancy Ruth, Ngo, Tannas — 6
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Eggleton, Hubley, Jaffer — 3
ABSTENTIONS
The Honourable Senators
Nil.
At 1:40 p.m., the Honourable Senator Frum replaced the Honourable Senator Tannas as a member of the committee.
The chair asked whether the committee wished to append observations.
At 1:45 p.m., after debate, the committee suspended.
At 1:48 p.m., the committee, pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), resumed in camera to consider a draft report.
It was agreed that senators' staff be allowed to stay in the room.
It was agreed that the chair report the bill to the Senate with observations.
At 2 p.m., the Honourable Senator Tannas withdrew from the committee meeting pursuant to subsection 13(2) of the Conflict of Interest Code for Senators.
At 2:05 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 2:07 p.m., the committee resumed in public, the chair, the Honourable Senator Jaffer, presiding.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Monday, June 16, 2014, the committee continued its study of Bill S-201, An Act to prohibit and prevent genetic discrimination. (For the complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 11.)
WITNESSES:
Canadian Coalition for Genetic Fairness:
Bev Heim-Myers, Chair of the Canadian Coalition for Genetic Fairness and CEO of the Huntington Society of Canada;
Joyce Gordon, President of Parkinson Society Canada and Chair of Neurological Health Charities Canada;
Mary Sunderland, Director of Research and Education, Foundation Fighting Blindness;
Richard Marceau, General Counsel and Senior Government Advisor, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs.
Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors:
Clare Gibbons, Genetic Counsellor, North York General Hospital;
Julie Rutberg, Genetic Counsellor and Research Coordinator, University of Ottawa Heart Institute.
Canadian College of Medical Geneticists:
Dr. Gail Graham, President, and Chief of the Department of Genetics at CHEO.
Centre of Genomics and Policy:
Professor Yann Joly, Associate Professor, Human Genetics, McGill University.
23andme, Inc.:
Kathy Hibbs, Chief Legal & Regulatory Officer.
The chair made a statement.
Ms. Heim-Myers, Ms. Gordon, Ms. Sunderland and Mr. Marceau each made a statement and answered questions.
At 3 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 3:02 p.m., the committee resumed.
Ms. Gibbons, Dr. Graham, Professor Joly and Ms. Hibbs each made a statement and, together with Ms. Rutberg, answered questions.
At 3:54 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Adam Thompson
Clerk of the Committee