Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Just on the issue of having a minister, I think you said it precisely: you may need a minister, but the person has to be effective. I would also add that there have to be mechanisms. A ministry itself is not a mechanism. If someone wants to claim their rights, they must have a pl

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  No.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  I can start, and hopefully Alex will supplement. In terms of systemic barriers, we'd have to know a little bit about the committee to identify systemic barriers. It's secretive.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Absolutely. I mean, even if the committee shouldn't be struck down entirely, they self-describe as a communications protocol. Well, I don't hear “implementation”, I don't hear “action”. They disseminate information, that's all. And in this day and age, with the Internet, we can

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  I'm not going to comment further.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  I'll just add a little bit to that. I think what Alex said is right; when I went across the country to talk about the UPR and get groups engaged, I was floored with the response. Civil society responds to this. I think it may be somewhat unique to Canada. I've travelled aroun

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  It's Libby Davies.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  I welcome this opportunity to address this subcommittee. The UPR has been a process that I've been involved in for some time, particularly as it pertains to Canada. The work I do is very much related to the UPR. I spend most of my time trying to implement the right to adequate