The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

AndersonArnotAtaullahjanAudetteBattersBellemareBernardBlackBoehmBoisvenuBonifaceBoveyBoyerBrazeauBussonCampbellCarignanChristmasClementCordyCormierCotterCoyleDagenaisDalphondDaskoDawsonDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDuncanDupuisForestFrancisFureyGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGoldGreeneGriffinHarderHartlingHousakosJafferKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLankinLoffredaMacDonaldManningMarshallMarwahMassicotteMcCallumMcPhedranMégieMercerMiville-DechêneMocklerMoncionMoodieOhOmidvarPatePattersonPetitclercPlettPoirierQuinnRavaliaRichardsRinguetteSaint-GermainSeidmanSimonsSmithTannasVernerWallinWellsWetstonWhiteWooYussuff

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

AndersonArnotAtaullahjanAudetteBattersBellemareBernardBlackBoehmBoisvenuBonifaceBoveyBoyerBrazeauBussonCampbellCarignanChristmasClementCordyCormierCotterCoyleDagenaisDalphondDaskoDawsonDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDuncanDupuisForestFrancisFureyGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGoldGreeneGriffinHarderHartlingHousakosJafferKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLankinLoffredaMacDonaldManningMarshallMarwahMassicotteMcCallumMcPhedranMégieMercerMiville-DechêneMocklerMoncionMoodieOhOmidvarPatePattersonPetitclercPlettPoirierQuinnRavaliaRichardsRinguetteSaint-GermainSeidmanSimonsSmithTannasVernerWallinWellsWetstonWhiteWooYussuff

The first list records senators present in the Senate Chamber during the course of the sitting.

An asterisk in the second list indicates a senator who, while not present during the sitting, was in attendance to business, as defined in subsections 8(2) and (3) of the Senators Attendance Policy.

PRAYERS

Ordered: That today’s sitting begin with 15 minutes of Senators’ Statements concerning the situation in Ukraine, followed by regular statements.

Senators’ Statements

Some Honourable Senators made statements.

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS

Tabling of Documents

The Honourable the Speaker informed the Senate that the Clerk of the Senate had tabled the following (Sessional Paper No. 1/44-516S) :

February 24, 2022

Mr. Speaker,

In accordance with rule 15-6 of the Rules of the Senate, Members of the Senate must renew their Declaration of Qualification within the first 20 sitting days of the first session of each Parliament.  As Clerk, it is my duty to submit to you, Mr. Speaker, a list of the names of those Senators who have met this obligation and signed their Declaration so that it may be tabled, by you, Mr. Speaker, in the Chamber.

I have the honour to be, Mr. Speaker, your obedient servant.

The Honourable Senators

AndersonArnotAtaullahjanAudetteBattersBellemareBernardBlackBoehmBoisvenuBonifaceBoveyBoyerBrazeauBussonCampbellCarignanChristmasClementCordyCormierCotterCoyleDagenaisDalphondDaskoDawsonDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDuncanDupuisForestFrancisFureyGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGoldGreeneGriffinHarderHartlingHousakosJafferKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLankinLoffredaLovelace NicholasMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMarwahMassicotteMcCallumMcPhedranMégieMercerMiville-DechêneMocklerMoncionMoodieOhOmidvarPatePattersonPetitclercPlettPoirierQuinnRavaliaRichardsRinguetteSaint-GermainSeidmanSimonsSmithSorensenTannasVernerWallinWellsWetstonWhiteWooYussuff

Presenting or Tabling Reports from Committees

The Honourable Senator Marwah, Chair of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration, presented the second report of the committee, entitled Senate Budget 2022-23.

(The report is printed as an appendix at pages 297-303 (available in print format PDF).)

(The HTML version of the report is available on the committee website.)

The Honourable Senator Marwah moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Ringuette, that the report be placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration at the next sitting.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

Introduction and First Reading of Senate Public Bills

The Honourable Senator Housakos introduced Bill S-237, An Act to establish the Foreign Influence Registry and to amend the Criminal Code.

The bill was read the first time.

The Honourable Senator Housakos moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Wells, that the bill be placed on the Orders of the Day for a second reading two days hence.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

o o o

The Honourable Senator Boisvenu introduced Bill S-238, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights (information about the victim).

The bill was read the first time.

The Honourable Senator Boisvenu moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Seidman, that the bill be placed on the Orders of the Day for a second reading two days hence.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

Tabling of Reports from Interparliamentary Delegations

The Honourable Senator Galvez tabled the following:

Report of the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas, 13th Gathering of the ParlAmericas Parliamentary Network for Gender Equality, virtual sessions, September 13, 22 and October 4, 2021.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-517.

Report of the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas, 5th Gathering of ParlAmericas open parliament network, virtual sessions, March 15, 19 and 26, 2021.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-518.

Notices of Motions

With leave of the Senate,

The Honourable Senator Saint-Germain moved, seconded by the Honourable Senators Gold, P.C., Plett, Cordy and Tannas:

That the Senate of Canada:

(a)condemn in the strongest terms Russia and its entirely unprovoked invasion of Ukraine following continued violations of its territorial independence and sovereignty;

(b)condemn Russia’s flagrant disregard for its obligations under international law and as a member of the United Nations, particularly as a permanent member of the UN Security Council;

(c)recognize the right of the Ukrainian people to live in peace, security and freedom in their own country and to determine their own future and government without foreign interference of any kind; and

(d)affirm its steadfast support for the people of Ukraine and those Canadians of Ukrainian origin in Canada.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

Question Period

The Senate proceeded to Question Period.

Orders of the Day

Government Business

Bills – Second Reading

Orders No. 1 and 2 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Second reading of Bill C-10, An Act respecting certain measures related to COVID-19.

The Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson, that the bill be read the second time.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Wells moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Seidman, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

o o o

Second reading of Bill C-12, An Act to amend the Old Age Security Act (Guaranteed Income Supplement).

The Honourable Senator Cordy moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Bovey, that the bill be read the second time.

After debate,

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The bill was then read the second time.

The Honourable Senator Cordy moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Bovey, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

Motions

Orders No. 1 and 14 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

With leave of the Senate,

The Honourable Senator Gagné moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C.:

That, when the Senate next adjourns after the adoption of this motion, it do stand adjourned until Tuesday, March 1, 2022, at 2 p.m.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

Inquiries

Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

Other Business

Senate Public Bills – Second Reading

Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Second reading of Bill S-204, An Act to amend the Customs Tariff (goods from Xinjiang).

The Honourable Senator Housakos moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Ataullahjan, that the bill be read the second time.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Miville-Dechêne moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Duncan, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Boisvenu, seconded by the Honourable Senator Plett, for the second reading of Bill S-205, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to make consequential amendments to another Act (interim release and domestic violence recognizance orders).

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Duncan moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Petitclerc, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

o o o

Orders No. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Housakos, for the second reading of Bill S-220, An Act to amend the Languages Skills Act (Governor General).

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Wells moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Plett, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

o o o

Orders No. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Pate, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dean, for the second reading of Bill S-233, An Act to develop a national framework for a guaranteed livable basic income.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Duncan moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dean, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

o o o

Orders No. 22, 23 and 24 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Motions

Orders No. 3, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 15 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Ordered : That Order No. 12, under OTHER BUSINESS, Motions, be again called.

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator McCallum, seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources be authorized to examine and report on the cumulative positive and negative impacts of resource extraction and development, and their effects on environmental, economic and social considerations, when and if the committee is formed; and

That the committee submit its final report no later than December 31, 2022.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Wells moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Plett, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

o o o

Order No. 30 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

Inquiries

Orders No. 2, 3 and 5 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

MOTIONS

The Honourable Senator Boehm moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade be authorized to examine and report on the Canadian foreign service and elements of the foreign policy machinery within Global Affairs Canada, and on other related matters; and

That the committee submit its final report no later than March 30, 2023, and that it retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings for 180 days after the tabling of the final report.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

o o o

The Honourable Senator Massicotte moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Lankin, P.C.:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources be authorized to examine and report on emerging issues related to its mandate:

(a) The current state and future direction of production, distribution, consumption, trade, security and sustainability of Canada’s energy resources;

(b) Environmental challenges facing Canadians including responses and adaptation to global climate change, pollution, biodiversity, and ecological integrity, and the cumulative environmental effects of energy and natural resource development;

(c) Sustainable development and management of renewable and non-renewable natural resources including but not limited to water, minerals, soils, flora and fauna;

(d) Pathways to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and ways to address the human and environmental impacts of climate change and manage the transition to a low carbon economy;

(e) Opportunities and challenges for women, Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized Canadians, newcomers, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ2 Canadians, in the energy and natural resource sectors; and

(f) Canada’s international treaty obligations affecting energy, the environment and natural resources and their influence on Canada’s economic and social development; and

That the committee submit its final report no later than December 31, 2025 and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings until 180 days after the tabling of the final report.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

INQUIRIES

The Honourable Senator Downe called the attention of the Senate to:

(a)The importance of the federal government as Canada’s largest single employer, with over 230,000 civilian employees;

(b)The fact that, although everyone understands that a significant portion of federal employees would be based in the nation’s capital, in recent years a trend has developed whereby the distribution of jobs between Ottawa and the regions has become more and more disproportionate in favour of the National Capital Region; and

(c)The role of the Senate in examining and discussing the opportunities for decentralizing federal government jobs and services, and urging the Government of Canada to restore the historical distribution of employment to one third of jobs in the National Capital Region and two thirds in the rest of the country, thereby contributing to the economic growth and stability of the regions of Canada.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Griffin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Pate, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

ADJOURNMENT

The Honourable Senator Gagné moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson:

That the Senate do now adjourn.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

(Accordingly, at 6:41 p.m., the Senate was continued until Tuesday, March 1, 2022, at 2 p.m.)

Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5

Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry

The Honourable Senator Poirier was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (February 24, 2022).

Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology

The Honourable Senator Quinn replaced the Honourable Senator Verner, P.C. (February 24, 2022).

The Honourable Senator Poirier was added to the membership (February 24, 2022).

The Honourable Senator Martin was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (February 24, 2022).