THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Tuesday, December 15, 2020
(2)

[English]

Pursuant to the order of the Senate of November 17, 2020, the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met in camera this day in room C128, Senate of Canada Building, and with videoconference at 10 a.m. [ET], the chair, the Honourable Salma Ataullahjan, presiding.

Member of the committee present: The Honourable Senator Ataullahjan (1).

Members of the committee present by videoconference: The Honourable Senators Bernard, Boyer, Hartling, Martin, Mégie, Ngo, Pate and Tannas (8).

Participating in the meeting: Kalina Waltos, Legislative Clerk, Committees Directorate; Lara Coleman, Robert Mason and Martin McCallum, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament; Síofra McAllister, Communications Officer, Senate Communications Directorate.

Pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee considered a draft agenda (future business).

The chair presented the conclusions of the meeting of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure held on December 9, 2020.

It was agreed that each member of the committee allow one staff member to attend in camera meetings, provided that they follow the order of the Senate of October 27, 2020:

Subject to variations that may be required by the circumstances, senators’ staff, to participate by videoconference, must:

(a) use a desktop or laptop computer and headphones with integrated microphone provided by the Senate for videoconferences;

(b) not use other devices such as personal tablets or smartphones;

(c) be the only people visible on the videoconference from an active video feed (unless the preferred option is for them to turn off their camera).

It was agreed that certain principles be adopted concerning the correspondence of the committee.

It was agreed that speaking times of senators be limited to five minutes per round, including questions and answers, for committee meetings with witnesses.

The committee discussed future business.

At 10:50 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

François Michaud

Clerk of the Committee