MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Meeting No. 37
Friday, April 11, 2003
The Standing Committee on Justice
and Human Rights met in Toronto at the Delta Chelsea, at 8:30 a.m. this day,
the Chair, Hon. Andy Scott, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Derek Lee, Paul Harold Macklin,
John Maloney, Richard Marceau, John McKay, The Hon. Andy Scott.
In attendance: From the Library of
Parliament: Kristen Douglas, analyst.
Witnesses: As Individual:
Cynthia Petersen, Lawyer, Sack, Goldblatt, Mitchell; Deborah Eaton-Kent;
Matthew Eaton-Kent. From the Ontario Conference of Catholic Bishops:
John Boissonneau, Bishop; Sylvia Santin. From the Free Methodist Church
in Canada: Rob Clements, Member, Study Commission on Doctrine. From
the Right to Life Association of Toronto and Area: Natalie Hudson,
Executive Director. As
Individual:
Siobhan Devine; Alexandra Raffé. From the Islamic Council of
Imams-Canada: Shabbir Ally, Coordinator. As Individual:
Gerald Vandezande. From the Community Advisory Committee on Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual and Transgendered Issues: Amelia Golden, Advisor; Tatum
Wilson. As Individual: Robert Cooper. From The Pentecostal
Assemblies of Canada: Rev. Ted Seres, National coordinator, Specialized
Ministries; David Hazzard. From the Fallingbrook Heights Baptist Church:
Rev. Mel Finlay, Pastor, "The Church at the Centre". From the
Ontario Association of Social Workers: Joan MacKenzie-Davies, Executive
Director; Peter Newman. As Individual: Martin Traub-Werner;
Tamara Kronis. From the Canadian Labour Congress: Marie Clarke
Walker, Executive Vice-President; Kim Beemer, Vice-President, Gay, Lesbian,
Bisexual and Transgender Issues. As Individual: Bonnie Fox,
Professor, University of Toronto; Kimberly Beaven; Burke M. Christian. From
Witness: Jim Michael Duffy, President. From the Christian
Heritage Party of Canada: Ron Gray. As Individual:
Lorraine Weinrib, Law School, University of Toronto.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee
resumed its study on marriage and the legal recognition of same-sex unions.
At 8:30 a.m., Cynthia Petersen, Deborah
Eaton-Kent, Matthew Eaton-Kent, John Bissonneau and Sylvia Santin made a
statement and answered questions.
At 9:30 a.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 9:35 a.m., the sitting resumed.
Rob Clements, Natalie Hudson, Siobhan Devine and
Alexandra Raffé made a statement and answered questions.
At 10:30 a.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 10:35 a.m., the sitting resumed.
Gerald Vandezande, Amelia Golden, Shabbir Ally
and Tatum Wilson made a statement and answered questions.
At 11:30 a.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 11:35 a.m., the sitting resumed.
Robert Cooper, Rev. Ted Seres, David Hazzard and
Rev. Mel Finlay made a statement and answered questions.
At 12:25 p.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 1:30 p.m., the sitting resumed.
Joan MacKenzie-Davies, Peter Newman, Martin
Traub-Werner, Tamara Kronis, Marie Clarke Walker and Kim Beemer made a
statement and answered questions.
At 2:32 p.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 2:35 p.m., the sitting resumed.
Bonnie Fox, Kimberly Beaven and Burke M.
Christian made a statement and answered questions.
At 3:04 p.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 3:10 p.m., the sitting resumed.
Jim Michael Duffy, Ron Gray and Lorraine Weinrib
made a statement and answered questions.
At 4:25 p.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 4:27 p.m., the sitting resumed.
The following individuals made a brief statement:
Katherine Yu, Christopher McIntosh, Tony Mandl, David Mitges, Ulma Lee, Marcus
Logan, Kathy Vance, Glen Pelshea, Brian Cohen, Stace Lum-Yip, Renée King, Chris
Phibbs, Eric Stephenson, Van Tran-Adams, Matthew Tran-Adams, Peter Skaliks,
David Rayside, Jawed Akhter, Sherry de Novo.
At 5:12 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call
of the Chair.
Patrice Martin
Clerk of the Committee