Parliamentary Committee Notes: Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights

Chair

Randeep Sarai (Lib)

Liberal Party of Canada
Riding: Surrey Centre, British Columbia

Lawyer
Preferred language: French / English

Biography

A community leader and lawyer, Mr. Sarai was elected the Member of Parliament for Surrey Centre in the 2015 election. He has served as Pacific Caucus Chair, a member of the Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Committee and the Public Accounts Committee. He was re-elected for a second term in 2019.

Mr. Sarai was born in Vancouver and raised in South Burnaby. He graduated from UBC with a Bachelor of Arts and went on to complete his Bachelor of Laws at Queen’s University. He and his wife are raising their three children in Surrey Centre.

Mr. Sarai was a founder and served as a Director of Virsa Supporting Youth Strengthening Families Society. He also helped start South Asian Community Coalition Against Youth Violence, which successfully championed for the creation of the Integrated Gang Task Force.

Member Profile and Other Parliamentary Roles

https://www.ourcommons.ca/Members/en/randeep-sarai(89339)

Committees:

Member of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development
Member of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights

Sponsored Private Member’s Bills or Motions

n/a

For an exhaustive list, please refer to LEGISinfo

Vice-Chairs

The Honourable Rob Moore – Vice-Chair

Conservative Party of Canada
Riding: Fundy Royal, New Brunswick

Member of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure
Lawyer
Former Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism) (2010)
Former Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) (2013)
Preferred language: English

Biography

The Honourable Rob Moore was the Member of Parliament for Fundy Royal from 2004 to 2015. During this time, he served as Chair of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice, Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency as well as Regional Minister for both New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Mr. Moore was born in 1974 in Gander, Newfoundland. He graduated from the University of New Brunswick Saint John with a Business degree and from the University of New Brunswick Fredericton with a degree in Law. He was called to the New Brunswick Bar in 2000 and praticed law in Rothesay, NB.

Member Profile and Other Parliamentary Roles

https://www.ourcommons.ca/Members/en/Rob-Moore(17210)

Sponsored Private Member’s Bills or Motions

Previous sessions:

For an exhaustive list, please refer to LEGISinfo

Rhéal Éloi Fortin – Vice-Chair

Bloc Québécois
Riding: Rivière-du-Nord, Quebec

Lawyer
Preferred language: French

Biography

Rhéal Fortin was elected MP for Rivière-du-Nord in 2015. The lawyer by profession was interim leader of the Bloc Québécois from 2015 to 2017 in addition to being the party's critic for justice and intergovernmental affairs . The former president of the Laurentides-Lanaudière Bar was particularly involved in the fight against procuring and human trafficking, particularly of underage women. He introduced Bill C-349 to prevent members of criminal organizations from displaying their colors publicly, as well as Bill C-334 to protect journalistic sources. Mr. Fortin also campaigned for the return of public funding to political parties based on the vote received, as is the case in Quebec, in order to eliminate any appearance of a link between money and decision-making. A longtime independence activist, Mr. Fortin has long held the position of local president of the Bloc Québécois and was a founding member of the Mouvement Québec français Laurentides.

Founding partner of the firm Bissonnette et Fortin since 1993, Mr. Fortin has mainly worked in civil and commercial law since his admission to the Bar in 1989. He has also been accredited by the Barreau du Québec as Civil and Commercial Mediator since 1998.

Member Profile and Other Parliamentary Roles

https://www.ourcommons.ca/Members/en/Rheal-Eloi-Fortin(88605)

Committee:

Member of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights

Sponsored Private Member’s Bills or Motions

Previous sessions:

For an exhaustive list, please refer to LEGISinfo

Members

Gary Anandasangaree

Liberal Party of Canada
Riding: Scarborough—Rouge Park, Ontario

Lawyer
Preferred language: English/ French

Biography

Gary Anandasangaree came to Canada with his mother as a refugee in 1983, and has advocated for the rights of refugees throughout his adult life. He is an internationally recognized human rights lawyer and community activist who has advocated tirelessly for education and social justice.

Prior to entering politics, Mr. Anandasangaree attended Osgoode Hall Law School, was called to the bar of Ontario in 2006, and went on to manage his own firm in Scarborough. He has been a passionate advocate for human rights issues, regularly representing Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada at the United Nations Human Rights Council. He has also served as a strong advocate for local youth, intervening in cases of wrongful student expulsion and suspension.

As an active and engaged member of his community, Mr. Anandasangaree has served as Chair of the Canadian Tamil Youth Development Centre, President of the Canadian Tamils’ Chamber of Commerce, board member of the Youth Challenge Fund, member of the Toronto Police Chief’s Advisory Council, and member of the United Way Newcomers Grant Program.

In honour of his devotion to community service and local advocacy, Mr. Anandasangaree has received both the Queen Elizabeth II Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals. Mr. Anandasangaree has also received the Osgoode Hall Law School “One-to-Watch” Alumni Gold Key Award and the South Asian Bar Association of Toronto’s Young Practitioner Award.

Member Profile and Other Parliamentary Roles

https://www.ourcommons.ca/Members/en/Gary-Anandasangaree(89449)

Offices and Roles as a Parliamentarian:
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Committees:
Member of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights

Sponsored Private Member’s Bills or Motions

n/a

For an exhaustive list, please refer to LEGISinfo

Élisabeth Brière

Liberal Party of Canada
Riding: Sherbrooke, Quebec

Notary
Preferred language: French

Biography

Élizabeth Brière was elected the Member of Parliament for the riding of Sherbrooke in 2019. She is a Sherbrooke resident since 1987, where she currently lives with her husband and three sons. Environment is at the heart of her concerns. She has worked to raise awareness on the impact of personal choices and wants to ensure a safe and equal environment for women.

Ms. Brière holds a Bachelor of Law, a diploma in notarial law, and a certificate in business administration. Prior to her election, she worked as a notary for nearly 30 years and as a lecturer at the Université de Sherbrooke. Ms. Brière was recently a partner at the private firm Monty Sylvestre, focusing on human rights, real estate, and mediation.

Member Profile and Other Parliamentary Roles

https://www.ourcommons.ca/Members/en/elisabeth-briere(104977)

Offices and Roles as a Parliamentarian:
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health

Committees:
Member of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights
Member of the Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations

Sponsored Private Member’s Bills or Motions

n/a

For an exhaustive list, please refer to LEGISinfo

Larry Brock

Conservative Party of Canada
Riding: Brantford—Brant, Ontario

Preferred language: English

Biography

Larry Brock  was born and raised in Brantford,where his wife Angela and him have 12-year-old twin daughters. Along with being an active member of the Brantford Aquatic Club where his daughters swim, he has served the community with many volunteer organizations. Mr. Brock has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Waterloo and a law degree from the University of Calgary. Since 2004, he has been the Assistant Crown Attorney for Brant.

Mr. Brock was Chair of the board of the Crossing All Bridges Learning Centre which helps adults with developmental difficulties succeed in education, employment, and independent living. He also served as President of St. Leonard’s Community Services which provides justice, employment, youth and family, addiction, and mental health services. And in 2015 he served as Chair of the United Way campaign which raised more than $1.6 million for local charities.

Member Profile and Other Parliamentary Roles

https://www.ourcommons.ca/Members/en/Larry-Brock(110354)

Committees:
Member of Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights

Parliamentary Associations and Interparliamentary Groups:
Member of the Canada-China Legislative Association
Member of the Canada-Germany Interparliamentary Group
Member of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association
Member of the Canada-France Inter-Parliamentary Association
Member of the Canada-Ireland Interparliamentary Group
Member of the Canada-Israel Interparliamentary Group
Member of the Canada-Italy Interparliamentary Group
Member of the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association
Member of the Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
Member of the Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group
Member of the Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association
Member of the Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly
Member of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union

Sponsored Private Member’s Bills or Motions

n/a

For an exhaustive list, please refer to LEGISinfo

Tako Van Popta

Conservative Party of Canada
Riding: Langley – Aldergrove, British Columbia

Lawyer
Preferred language: English

Biography

Tako Van Popta was first elected to Parliament in 2019 and re-elected in 2021. He is a resident of Langley and an active advocate for local issues. A dedicated volunteer, he has served his community for more than 30 years. From 1990-1998 Tako Van Popta volunteered for the Langley Memorial Hospital Board. He has also served as the director of the Surrey Board of Trade and the Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association.

A graduate of Trinity Western University and the University of British Columbia, Tako Van Popta holds a law degree. Appointed as managing partner, he worked at McQuarrie Hunter LLP for 30 years.

Member Profile and Other Parliamentary Roles

https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en/tako-van-popta(105811)

Committee:
Member of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights

Sponsored Private Member’s Bills or Motions

n/a

For an exhaustive list, please refer to LEGISinfo

Anju Dhillon

Liberal Party of Canada
Riding: Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle, Quebec

Lawyer
Preferred language: English/ French

Biography

Anju Dhillon holds an Honours Bachelor Degree in Political Science from Concordia University, a Bachelor of Law from Université de Montréal, a JurisDoctor (J.D.) and Master of Laws Degrees from Université de Sherbrooke. In October 2015, Ms. Dhillon was elected Member of Parliament for Dorval-Lachine-LaSalle and became Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Status of Women. She sat on the Status of Women Permanent Committee, HUMA, Scrutiny of Regulations Committee, and Heritage Committees.

Her journey as a politician began at the age of 13 when she started volunteering for the Liberal Party of Canada. She sat on the Executive Council of the LaSalle-Emard Federal Liberal Electoral District Association in various positions such as Youth Vice-President, Vice-President Female, Secretary, and Policy Officer.

Member Profile and Other Parliamentary Roles

https://www.ourcommons.ca/Members/en/Anju-Dhillon(88453)

Committees:
Member of the Standing Committee on International Trade
Member of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights

Sponsored Private Member’s Bills or Motions

n/a

For an exhaustive list, please refer to LEGISinfo

Frank Caputo

Conservative Party of Canada
Riding: Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo, British Columbia

Crown Prosecutor and Law Instructor
Preferred language: English

Biography

Was first elected to Parliament in 2021. His parents were first generation immigants from Italy. In his professional life, Frank Caputo served as a Crown prosecutor and law instructor at Thompson Rivers University.

Member Profile and Other Parliamentary Roles

https://www.ourcommons.ca/Members/en/frank-caputo(111007)#roles

Committees:

Member of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights

Parliamentary Associations and Interparliamentary Groups:
Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association
Canada-Israel Interparliamentary Group
Canada-Italy Interparliamentary Group
Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association
Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group

Sponsored Private Member’s Bills or Motions

For an exhaustive list, please refer to LEGISinfo

Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal Party of Canada
Riding: Halifax West, Nova Scotia

Lawyer
Preferred language: English / French

Biography

Lena Metlege Diab is a proud grandmother, community volunteer, lawyer, businesswoman, and Lebanese-Nova Scotian. Born in Halifax, she lived in Diman, a small tight-knit Lebanese village, from the age of two, fleeing war at the age of 11 and returning back to her family home in Halifax. Mrs. Metlege Diab went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts, a Master of Public Administration, and a law degree. She also had three children while attending law school and articling.

Mrs. Metlege Diab has served as an MLA and as a member of the provincial cabinet, holding the title of Nova Scotia’s first female Attorney General and Minister of Justice. She also served as Minister of Immigration, Minister of Labour and Advanced Education, et Ministre des Affaires acadiennes et de la Francophonie.

Mrs. Metlege Diab has a profound respect for history, tradition, and protection of minorities, as she does the ethos of personal and collective responsibility and recognition of the hard work and sacrifices of others. She values respect for diversity, inclusion, and fairness. She has also trained in collaborative law and mediation. She speaks English, French, and Arabic, and lives in Rockingham with her family.

Member Profile and Other Parliamentary Roles

https://www.ourcommons.ca/Members/en/Lena-Metlege-Diab(109915)

Committees:
Member of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights
Member of the Standing Committee on Science and Research

Parliamentary Associations and Interparliamentary Groups:
Member of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association
Member of the Canada-France Inter-Parliamentary Association
Member of the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie
Member of the Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group
Member of the Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association
Member of the Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly

Sponsored Private Member’s Bills or Motions

n/a

For an exhaustive list, please refer to LEGISinfo

Randall Garrison

New Democratic Party
Riding: Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke, British Columbia

Preferred language: English

Biography

Randall Garrison has been a strong voice in Parliament for Southern Vancouver Island for eight years. As the NDP LGBTQ2+ spokesperson, he has fought to build a more inclusive Canada for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. As the previous NDP Critic on National Defence, he worked to ensure Canadian Forces members have the training, equipment, and support they need to defend Canada and promote peace.

In Ottawa, Mr. Garrison has fought the Transmountain Pipeline to keep a healthy coast for orcas, wild salmon, and local fishing and tourism jobs. Having worked on environmental and climate change issues for more than 30 years, he understands we can never meet the challenges of climate change if we leave working people and First Nations behind.

Mr. Garrison is a committed environmentalist, human rights leader, refugee advocate, and former city councilor who has worked at all levels from his local community to international human rights and peacekeeping missions.

Member Profile and Other Parliamentary Roles

https://www.ourcommons.ca/Members/en/Randall-Garrison(71995)

Committees:
Member of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights
Member of the Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations

Parliamentary Associations and Interparliamentary Groups:
Vice-Chair of Canada-Israel Interparliamentary Group
Member of the Canada-Israel Interparliamentary Group
Member of the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association
Member of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union

Current session:

For an exhaustive list, please refer to LEGISinfo

Yasir Naqvi

Liberal Party of Canada
Riding: Essex, Ontario

Preferred language: English/ French

Biography

Yasir Naqvi and his family arrived in Canada in 1988 after the Pakistani government imprisoned his father for leading a pro-democracy march. He has a passion to serve his community and prior to his federal election, Mr. Naqvi was elected as the Member of Provincial Parliament for Ottawa Centre in October 2007, and later re-elected in 2011 and 2014.

While in provincial government, Mr. Naqvi served in many roles including as the Attorney General of Ontario, Government House Leader, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, and Minister of Labour. Through this work he raised the minimum wage, brought forward new protections for vulnerable workers, banned race-based carding in Ontario and modernized our court system. After leaving government, Mr. Naqvi served as the CEO of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, Canada’s leading voice on citizenship and inclusion. He has also served on the boards of many community organizations such as OrKidstra, United Way East Ontario and the Ottawa Local Immigration Partnership.

Mr. Naqvi is a tireless advocate for public services and sustainable community growth. Recognized by his peers as a strong community leader, Yasir helped secure funding for Phase One and Phase Two of the LRT, build hundreds of new affordable housing units and build the Flora Footbridge and Chinatown Gateway.

Member Profile and Other Parliamentary Roles

https://www.ourcommons.ca/Members/en/Yasir-Naqvi(110572)

Offices and Roles as a Parliamentarian:
Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness

Committees:
Member of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights

Sponsored Private Member’s Bills or Motions

n/a

For an exhaustive list, please refer to LEGISinfo

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