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44 th Parliament, 1 st Session

(November 22, 2021 - January 6, 2025)

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THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Monday, June 12, 2023

(40) [ English ]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 5:03 p.m., in room B45, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Salma Ataullahjan, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Arnot, Ataullahjan, Bernard, Gerba, Jaffer, Omidvar and Pate (7).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Dalphond (1).

Participating in the meeting : Barbara Reynolds, Procedural Clerk, Committees Directorate; Robert Mason, Analyst, Library of Parliament; Amely Coulombe, Communications Officer, Communications Directorate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, the committee began its consideration of the Subject Matter of Bill C-41,

An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.

APPEARING:

The Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P., Minister of Public Safety.

WITNESSES:

Public Safety Canada:

Richard Bilodeau, Director General.

Department of Justice Canada:

Robert Brookfield, Director General and Senior General Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section;

Glenn Gilmour, Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada:

Selena Beattie, Director General, Policy and Outreach Branch.

Global Affairs Canada:

Jennifer Loten, Director General, Bureau for International Crime and Terrorism.

Canadian Red Cross:

Erica See, Senior Legal Counsel.

World Vision Canada:

Martin Fischer, Head of Policy.

Doctors Without Borders:

Joseph Belliveau, Executive Director;

Dr. Jason Nickerson, Humanitarian Representative to Canada.

Afghan Women's Organization Refugee and Immigrant Services:

Asma Faizi, President ( by videoconference );

Adeena Niazi, Executive Director ( by videoconference ).

The minister made a statement and, together with Richard Bilodeau, Robert Brookfield, Glenn Gilmour, Selena Beattie and Jennifer Loten, answered questions.

At 5:57 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 6:04 p.m., the committee resumed.

Erica See, Martin Fischer, Joseph Belliveau, Asma Faizi and Adeena Niazi each made a statement and, together with Jason Nickerson, answered questions.

At 7:07 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 7:15 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to consider a draft agenda (future business).

At 7:32 p.m., pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, March 3, 2022, the committee continued its study of such issues as may arise from time to time relating to human rights generally. (Topic: Anti-Black Racism, Sexism and Systemic Discrimination in the Canadian Human Rights Commission)

Pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee discussed in camera a draft report.

It was agreed that the committee allow the transcription of today’s in camera meeting, that one copy be kept with the clerk of the committee for consultation by committee members or by the committee analysts, and that the transcript be destroyed by the clerk when authorized to do so by the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure but no later than at the end of this parliamentary session.

At 8:29 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Sébastien Payet

Clerk of the Committee

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