Order Paper and Notice Paper
The Order Paper and Notice Paper is a document that guides the deliberations of the Senate and lists items of business currently before it. These items are listed in several different categories and in a priority according to an arrangement adopted by the Senate as stipulated in the rules. The majority of these items constitute the Orders of the Day which are called following Routine Proceedings. These items are themselves divided into two principal categories - government business and other business. Within each of these two categories are items for bills, motions, inquiries and reports of committees.
The Notice Paper contains the text of motions and inquiries not yet called for debate.
The Order Paper and Notice Paper is prepared every day in advance of the actual sitting.
Order of Business
(The following is an outline of a typical sitting day in the Senate. Variations are possible subject to the Rules and to the decisions of the Senate.)
Senators' Statements (15 minutes)
ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS (30 minutes)
1. Tabling of Documents
2. Presenting or Tabling Reports from Committees
3. Government Notices of Motions
4. Government Notices of Inquiries
5. Introduction and First Reading of Government Bills
6. Introduction and First Reading of Senate Public Bills
7. First Reading of Commons Public Bills
8. Reading of Petitions for Private Bills
9. Introduction and First Reading of Private Bills
10. Tabling of Reports from Interparliamentary Delegations
11. Notices of Motions
12. Notices of Inquiries
13. Tabling of Petitions
Question Period (30 minutes)
Delayed Answers
ORDERS OF THE DAY
Government Business
• Bills — Messages from the House of Commons
• Bills — Third Reading
• Bills — Reports of Committees
• Bills — Second Reading
• Reports of Committees — Other
• Motions
• Inquiries
• Other
Other Business
• Bills — Messages from the House of Commons
• Senate Public Bills — Third Reading
• Commons Public Bills — Third Reading
• Private Bills — Third Reading
• Senate Public Bills — Reports of Committees
• Commons Public Bills — Reports of Committees
• Private Bills — Reports of Committees
• Senate Public Bills — Second Reading
• Commons Public Bills — Second Reading
• Private Bills — Second Reading
• Reports of Committees — Other
• Motions
• Inquiries
• Other
NOTICE PAPER
• Notices of Motions
• Notices of Inquiries
Orders Of The Day
Government Business
Bills – Messages from the House of Commons
Nil
Bills – Third Reading
Nil
Bills – Reports of Committees
Nil
Bills – Second Reading
No. 1.
May 11, 2016—Second reading of Bill S-2, An Act to amend the Motor Vehicle Safety Act and to make a consequential amendment to another Act.
No. 2.
September 27, 2016—Second reading of Bill C-2, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act.
No. 3.
September 27, 2016—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Omidvar, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gagné, for the second reading of Bill C-6, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act and to make consequential amendments to another Act.
Reports of Committees – Other
Nil
Motions
No. 36.
By the Honourable Senator Bellemare:
September 28, 2016—That, in order to allow the Senate to receive a Minister of the Crown during Question Period as authorized by the Senate on December 10, 2015, and notwithstanding rule 4-7, when the Senate sits on Tuesday, October 4, 2016, Question Period shall begin at 3:30 p.m., with any proceedings then before the Senate being interrupted until the end of Question Period, which shall last a maximum of 40 minutes;
That, if a standing vote would conflict with the holding of Question Period at 3:30 p.m. on that day, the vote be postponed until immediately after the conclusion of Question Period;
That, if the bells are ringing for a vote at 3:30 p.m. on that day, they be interrupted for Question Period at that time, and resume thereafter for the balance of any time remaining; and
That, if the Senate concludes its business before 3:30 p.m. on that day, the sitting be suspended until that time for the purpose of holding Question Period.
No. 1.
December 8, 2015—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Jaffer, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cordy:
That the following Address be presented to His Excellency the Governor General of Canada:
To His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order of Canada, Chancellor and Commander of the Order of Military Merit, Chancellor and Commander of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada.
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY:
We, Her Majesty’s most loyal and dutiful subjects, the Senate of Canada in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Excellency for the gracious Speech which Your Excellency has addressed to both Houses of Parliament.
Inquiries
No. 1.
By the Honourable Senator Harder, P.C.:
April 13, 2016—That he will call the attention of the Senate to the budget entitled, Growing the Middle Class, tabled in the House of Commons on March 22, 2016, by the Minister of Finance, the Honourable Bill Morneau, P.C., M.P., and in the Senate on March 24, 2016.
Other
Nil
Other Business
Rule 4-15(2) states:
Except as otherwise ordered by the Senate, any item of Other Business on the Order Paper and any motion or inquiry on the Notice Paper that have not been proceeded with during 15 sitting days shall be dropped from the Order Paper and Notice Paper.
Consequently, the number appearing in parentheses indicates the number of sittings since the item was last proceeded with.
Bills – Messages from the House of Commons
Nil
Senate Public Bills – Third Reading
Nil
Commons Public Bills – Third Reading
Nil
Private Bills – Third Reading
Nil
Senate Public Bills – Reports of Committees
No. 1. (two)
June 22, 2016—Consideration of the sixth report of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence (Bill S-205, An Act to amend the Canada Border Services Agency Act (Inspector General of the Canada Border Services Agency) and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, with amendments), presented in the Senate on June 22, 2016.—(Honourable Senator Lang)
No. 2. (four)
June 20, 2016—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Baker, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Harder, P.C., for the adoption of the seventh report of the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs (Bill S-217, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (detention in custody), with an amendment and observations), presented in the Senate on June 16, 2016.—(Honourable Senator Fraser)
Commons Public Bills – Reports of Committees
Nil
Private Bills – Reports of Committees
Nil
Senate Public Bills – Second Reading
No. 1.
September 28, 2016—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Andreychuk, seconded by the Honourable Senator Tkachuk, for the second reading of Bill S-226, An Act to provide for the taking of restrictive measures in respect of foreign nationals responsible for gross violations of internationally recognized human rights and to make related amendments to the Special Economic Measures Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.—(Honourable Senator Andreychuk)
No. 2.
February 3, 2016—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Stewart Olsen, seconded by the Honourable Senator Johnson, for the second reading of Bill S-214, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (cruelty-free cosmetics).—(Honourable Senator Martin)
No. 3.
February 18, 2016—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Jaffer, seconded by the Honourable Senator Baker, P.C., for the second reading of Bill S-210, An Act to amend An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the Civil Marriage Act and the Criminal Code and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.—(Honourable Senator Martin)
No. 4.
September 27, 2016—Second reading of Bill S-228, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (prohibiting food and beverage marketing directed at children).—(Honourable Senator Raine)
No. 5. (three)
February 3, 2016—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Chaput, seconded by the Honourable Senator Moore, for the second reading of Bill S-209, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act (communications with and services to the public).—(Honourable Senator MacDonald)
No. 6. (three)
April 19, 2016—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Hervieux-Payette, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Jaffer, for the second reading of Bill S-223, An Act to amend the Firearms Act and the Criminal Code and to make consequential changes to other Acts.—(Honourable Senator Fraser)
No. 7. (three)
March 22, 2016—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Hervieux-Payette, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Day, for the second reading of Bill S-216, An Act to provide the means to rationalize the governance of Canadian public corporations.—(Honourable Senator Martin)
No. 8. (four)
March 8, 2016—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Enverga, seconded by the Honourable Senator Stewart Olsen, for the second reading of Bill S-218, An Act respecting Latin American Heritage Month.—(Honourable Senator Fraser)
No. 9. (five)
February 2, 2016—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Hervieux-Payette, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C., for the second reading of Bill S-206, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (protection of children against standard child-rearing violence).—(Honourable Senator Fraser)
No. 10. (six)
April 19, 2016—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Plett, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin, for the second reading of Bill S-224, An Act respecting payments made under construction contracts.—(Honourable Senator Fraser)
No. 11. (six)
March 22, 2016—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Hervieux-Payette, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Day, for the second reading of Bill S-220, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (international fraud).—(Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C.)
No. 12. (seven)
March 24, 2016—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Patterson, seconded by the Honourable Senator Enverga, for the second reading of Bill S-221, An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (Property qualifications of Senators).—(Honourable Senator Fraser)
No. 13. (seven)
January 27, 2016—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Moore, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dawson, for the second reading of Bill S-203, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and other Acts (ending the captivity of whales and dolphins).—(Honourable Senator Tannas)
No. 14. (eight)
March 8, 2016—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Hervieux-Payette, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C., for the second reading of Bill S-207, An Act to modernize the composition of the boards of directors of certain corporations, financial institutions and parent Crown corporations, and in particular to ensure the balanced representation of women and men on those boards.—(Honourable Senator Martin)
No. 15. (eight)
May 31, 2016—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Jaffer, seconded by the Honourable Senator Hubley, for the second reading of Bill S-222, An Act for the promotion and advancement of Canada’s linguistic plurality.—(Honourable Senator Jaffer)
No. 16. (nine)
March 24, 2016—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Tkachuk, seconded by the Honourable Senator Baker, P.C., for the second reading of Bill S-219, An Act to deter Iran-sponsored terrorism, incitement to hatred, and human rights violations.—(Honourable Senator Fraser)
No. 17. (eleven)
March 9, 2016—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Eggleton, P.C., for the second reading of Bill S-212, An Act for the advancement of the aboriginal languages of Canada and to recognize and respect aboriginal language rights.—(Honourable Senator Sinclair)
No. 18. (twelve)
January 27, 2016—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Dyck, seconded by the Honourable Senator Eggleton, P.C., for the second reading of Bill S-215, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (sentencing for violent offences against Aboriginal women).—(Honourable Senator Lovelace Nicholas)
No. 19. (thirteen)
February 4, 2016—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Mercer, seconded by the Honourable Senator Day, for the second reading of Bill S-213, An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 and the Parliament of Canada Act (Speakership of the Senate).—(Honourable Senator Plett)
No. 20. (fourteen)
March 9, 2016—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Cools, seconded by the Honourable Senator McCoy, for the second reading of Bill S-202, An Act to amend the Divorce Act (shared parenting plans).—(Honourable Senator Day)
No. 21. (two)
June 22, 2016—Second reading of Bill S-227, An Act to amend the Customs Act (reporting requirements).—(Honourable Senator Runciman)
Commons Public Bills – Second Reading
No. 1. (three)
June 21, 2016—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Nancy Ruth, seconded by the Honourable Senator Tkachuk, for the second reading of Bill C-210, An Act to amend the National Anthem Act (gender).—(Honourable Senator McCoy)
Private Bills – Second Reading
Nil
Reports of Committees – Other
No. 1. (eight)
March 9, 2016—Resuming debate on the consideration of the first report of the Special Joint Committee on Physician-Assisted Dying, entitled Medical Assistance in Dying: A Patient-Centred Approach, deposited with the Clerk of the Senate on February 25, 2016.—(Honourable Senator Eaton)
No. 2. (eleven)
March 9, 2016—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Housakos, seconded by the Honourable Senator Maltais, for the adoption of the third report of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration (Senate budget for 2016-2017), presented in the Senate on February 25, 2016.
And on the motion in amendment of the Honourable Senator Ringuette, seconded by the Honourable Senator McCoy:
That the Senate postpone debate on the third report of the Standing Committee on Internal, Economy, Budgets and Administration (Senate budget for 2016-17) until the full itemized budget has been tabled and distributed to Senators, as well as the detailed Senate expenses for 2015-16, and, five sitting days after it has been distributed, the Senate sit as Committee of the Whole for questions and that the Committee of the Whole sit until all questions by Senators have been answered.—(Honourable Senator McCoy)
Motions
No. 115.
September 28, 2016—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator McInnis, seconded by the Honourable Senator Wells:
That the Special Senate Committee on Senate Modernization be permitted, notwithstanding usual practices, to deposit with the Clerk of the Senate its first report, if the Senate is not then sitting and that the report be deemed to have been tabled in the Chamber.—(Honourable Senator McInnis)
No. 92. (three)
May 17, 2016—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Ngo, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cowan:
That the Senate note with concern the escalating and hostile behaviour exhibited by the People’s Republic of China in the South China Sea and consequently urge the Government of Canada to encourage all parties involved, and in particular the People’s Republic of China, to:
(a) recognize and uphold the rights of freedom of navigation and overflight as enshrined in customary international law and in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea;
(b) cease all activities that would complicate or escalate the disputes, such as the construction of artificial islands, land reclamation, and further militarization of the region;
(c) abide by all previous multilateral efforts to resolve the disputes and commit to the successful implementation of a binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea;
(d) commit to finding a peaceful and diplomatic solution to the disputes in line with the provisions of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and respect the settlements reached through international arbitration; and
(e) strengthen efforts to significantly reduce the environmental impacts of the disputes upon the fragile ecosystem of the South China Sea;
That the Senate also urge the Government of Canada to support its regional partners and allies and to take additional steps necessary to de-escalate tensions and restore the peace and stability of the region; and
That a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint it with the foregoing.—(Honourable Senator Cools)
No. 31. (four)
February 2, 2016—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Bellemare, seconded by the Honourable Senator Enverga:
That the Senate — in order to ensure transparency in the awarding of public funds and foster efficiency in infrastructure projects in the larger context of economic diversification and movement toward a greener economy, all while avoiding undue intervention in the federal-provincial division of powers — encourage the government to make provision in the budget for the creation of the Canadian Infrastructure Oversight and Best Practices Council, made up of experts in infrastructure projects from the provinces and territories, whose principal roles would be to:
1.collect information on federally funded infrastructure projects;
2. study the costs and benefits of federally funded infrastructure projects;
3. identify procurements best practices and of risk sharing;
4. promote these best practices among governments; and
5. promote project managers skills development; and
That a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that House with the above.—(Honourable Senator MacDonald)
No. 7. (six)
December 9, 2015—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Wallace, seconded by the Honourable Senator McCoy:
That the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament, when and if it is formed, be authorized to examine and report on Senate practices, and provisions in the Rules of the Senate, relating to committees, including senators’ memberships on committees, in order to evaluate whether all senators:
(a) are, in practice, treated equally, and with fairness and equity, irrespective of whether they sit as government members, as opposition members, as members of recognized parties or as independent senators; and
(b) have reasonable and equal opportunities to fully participate in and contribute, through committee work and membership, to this chamber’s role as a complementary legislative body of sober second thought, thereby enabling all senators to adequately fulfill their constitutional roles and responsibilities;
That in conducting this evaluation the Rules Committee pay particular attention to:
(a)the process for selecting members of the Committee of Selection, so that all senators can be considered for membership on that committee, and so that the interests of all senators, whether they sit as government members, as opposition members, as members of recognized parties or as independent senators, are represented in the membership of that committee; and
(b)the process whereby the Committee of Selection develops its recommendations for membership of the other committees;
That the Rules Committee also take into account the anticipated increase in the number of senators who are not members of a recognized party and how this emerging reality should be taken into account, including during the current session;
That the Rules Committee recommend necessary amendments to the Rules and adjustments in Senate practice based upon the results of its examination; and
That the Rules Committee present its final report on this study to the Senate no later than March 31, 2016.
And on the motion in amendment of the Honourable Senator Bellemare, seconded by the Honourable Senator Enverga:
That the motion be not now adopted, but that it be amended by replacing the paragraph reading:
“That the Rules Committee also take into account the anticipated increase in the number of senators who are not members of a recognized party and how this emerging reality should be taken into account, including during the current session;”
by the following:
“That the Rules Committee also take into account the anticipated increase in the number of senators who are not members of a recognized party so that they are able to form a group of independent senators with the resources and rights available to a party recognized under the Rules of the Senate;”.—(Honourable Senator Martin)
No. 79. (six)
March 24, 2016—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Wallace, seconded by the Honourable Senator Bellemare:
That the Rules of the Senate be amended:
1.by adding the following at the end of rule 12-1:
“The membership of the committee shall, as nearly as practicable, proportionally reflect the number of all Senators who are members of each of the recognized parties, as well as those who are not members of recognized parties.”;
2.by adding the following new rule 12-2(2):
“Expressions of interest
12-2. (2) Before nominating Senators to serve on committees, the Committee of Selection shall invite expressions of interest from all Senators.”;
3.by renumbering current rules 12-2(2) and (3) as rules 12-2(3) and (4);
4.by adding the following new rule 12-2(5):
“Content of Committee of Selection reports
12-2. (5) Any report of the Committee of Selection nominating Senators to serve on a committee shall:
(a) identify the criteria used in developing its nominations;
(b) contain nominations such that, if the report is adopted, the membership of the committee would, as nearly as practicable, proportionally reflect the number of all Senators who are members of each of the recognized parties, as well as those who are not members of recognized parties; and
(c) nominate, as far as possible, every Senator who is eligible to attend the Senate, and who expressed an interest in being a member of a committee, to a minimum of at least one committee.”;
5.by renumbering current rules 12-2(4), (5) and (6) as rules 12-2(6), (7) and (8); and
6.by updating all cross references in the Rules, including the lists of exceptions, accordingly; and
That the Senate discharge the current membership of the Committee of Selection so that a new membership can be appointed, by substantive motion, in conformity with the changes made by the adoption of this motion.—(Honourable Senator Wallin)
No. 73. (seven)
March 24, 2016—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Patterson, seconded by the Honourable Senator Runciman:
Whereas the Senate provides representation for groups that are often underrepresented in Parliament, such as Aboriginal peoples, visible minorities and women;
Whereas paragraph (3) of section 23 of the Constitution Act, 1867 requires that, in order to be qualified for appointment to and to maintain a place in the Senate, a person must own land with a net worth of at least four thousand dollars in the province for which he or she is appointed;
Whereas a person’s personal circumstances or the availability of real property in a particular location may prevent him or her from owning the required property;
Whereas appointment to the Senate should not be restricted to those who own real property of a minimum net worth;
Whereas the existing real property qualification is inconsistent with the democratic values of modern Canadian society and is no longer an appropriate or relevant measure of the fitness of a person to serve in the Senate;
Whereas, in the case of Quebec, each of the twenty-four Senators representing the province must be appointed for and must have either their real property qualification in or be resident of a specified Electoral Division;
Whereas an amendment to the Constitution of Canada in relation to any provision that applies to one or more, but not all, provinces may be made by proclamation issued by the Governor General under the Great Seal of Canada only where so authorized by resolutions of the Senate and House of Commons and of the legislative assembly of each province to which the amendment applies;
Whereas the Supreme Court of Canada has determined that a full repeal of paragraph (3) of section 23 of the Constitution Act, 1867, respecting the real property qualification of Senators, would require a resolution of the Quebec National Assembly pursuant to section 43 of the Constitution Act, 1982;
Now, therefore, the Senate resolves that an amendment to the Constitution of Canada be authorized to be made by proclamation issued by His Excellency the Governor General under the Great Seal of Canada in accordance with the Schedule hereto.
SCHEDULE
AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF CANADA
1.(1) Paragraph (3) of section 23 of the Constitution Act, 1867 is repealed.
(2) Section 23 of the Act is amended by replacing the semi-colon at the end of paragraph (5) with a period and by repealing paragraph (6).
2.The Declaration of Qualification set out in The Fifth Schedule to the Act is replaced by the following:
I, A.B., do declare and testify that I am by law duly qualified to be appointed a member of the Senate of Canada.
3.This Amendment may be cited as the Constitution Amendment, [year of proclamation] (Real property qualification of Senators).—(Honourable Senator Fraser)
No. 9. (seven)
December 11, 2015—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Hervieux-Payette, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Day:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce, when and if it is formed, be authorized to examine and report on Canada’s export performance as compared to international best practices in order to provide recommendations to improve Canada’s current export performance, the worst in 30 years according to the OECD;
That the committee make a preliminary report on the current export performance to the Senate no later than April 14, 2016; and
That the committee make to the Senate a final report on the implementation of an integrated policy for all partners to improve Canadian exports to all countries, especially those with which Canada has a free trade agreement, no later than December 16, 2016.—(Honourable Senator Ringuette)
No. 51. (eight)
February 25, 2016—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Eggleton, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Dawson:
That the Senate encourage the federal government, after appropriate consultations, to sponsor along with one or more of the provinces/territories a pilot project, and any complementary studies, to evaluate the cost and impact of implementing a national basic income program based on a negative income tax for the purpose of helping Canadians to escape poverty.
And on the motion in amendment of the Honourable Senator Bellemare, seconded by the Honourable Senator Harder, P.C.:
That the motion be amended to read as follows:
That the Senate encourage the federal government, after appropriate consultations, to provide support to initiatives by Provinces/Territories, including the Aboriginal Communities, aimed at evaluating the cost and impact of implementing measures, programs and pilot projects for the purpose of helping Canadians to escape poverty, by way of a basic income program (such as a negative income tax) and to report on their relative efficiency.—(Honourable Senator Eggleton, P.C.)
No. 69. (eight)
March 10, 2016—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Boisvenu, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dawson:
That the Senate urge the government to take all necessary steps to bring into force as soon as possible by order-in-council the provisions of C-452 An Act to amend the Criminal Code (exploitation and trafficking in persons), chapter 16 of the Statutes of Canada (2015), which received royal assent on June 18, 2015.—(Honourable Senator Fraser)
No. 96. (eight)
May 31, 2016—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Moore, seconded by the Honourable Senator Hubley:
That all documents, information, papers and reports provided to the Auditor General of Canada by each Senator who was subject to the comprehensive audit by the Auditor General pursuant to the motion adopted by the Senate of Canada on June 6, 2013, be returned intact and complete, including any copies thereof, to each Senator, respectively, within thirty (30) days of the adoption of this motion.—(Honourable Senator Martin)
No. 60. (eleven)
February 25, 2016—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Wallace, seconded by the Honourable Senator Demers:
That, in order to provide for a representative of independent, non-partisan senators to be elected to the Standing Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators;
1. The Rules of the Senate be amended by replacing rule 12-27(1) by the following:
“Appointment of Committee
12-27. (1) As soon as practicable at the beginning of each session, the Leader of the recognized party with the largest number of Senators shall move a motion, seconded by the Leader of the recognized party with the second largest number of Senators, on the membership of the Standing Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators. This motion shall be deemed adopted without debate or vote, and a similar motion shall be moved for any substitutions in the membership of the Committee.”; and
2. The Ethics and Conflict of Interest Code for Senators be amended by replacing subsections 35(4) to (6) by the following:
“Election of members
(4) Two of the Committee members shall be elected by secret ballot in the caucus of the recognized party with the largest number of Senators at the opening of the session; two of the Committee members shall be elected by secret ballot in the caucus of the recognized party with the second largest number of Senators at the opening of the session; the fifth member shall be elected by secret ballot by the majority of the Senators who are authorized to attend sittings of the Senate and who do not belong to the caucus of the recognized party with either the largest or second largest number of Senators at an in camera meeting called by the Clerk of the Senate at the opening of the session.
Presentation and adoption of motion
(5) The Leader of the recognized party with the largest number of Senators, seconded by the Leader of the recognized party with the second largest number of Senators, shall present a motion on the full membership of the Committee to the Senate, which motion shall be deemed adopted without any debate or vote.
Chair
(6) The Chair of the Committee shall be elected by its five members.”.—(Honourable Senator Ringuette)
No. 89. (twelve)
May 12, 2016—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Bellemare, seconded by the Honourable Senator Harder, P.C.:
That, in order to ensure that legislative reports of Senate committees follow a transparent, comprehensible and non-partisan methodology, the Rules of the Senate be amended by replacing rule 12-23(1) by the following:
“Obligation to report bill
12-23. (1) The committee to which a bill has been referred shall report the bill to the Senate. The report shall set out any amendments that the committee is recommending. In addition, the report shall have appended to it the committee’s observations on:
(a) whether the bill generally conforms with the Constitution of Canada, including:
(i) the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and
(ii) the division of legislative powers between Parliament and the provincial and territorial legislatures;
(b) whether the bill conforms with treaties and international agreements that Canada has signed or ratified;
(c) whether the bill unduly impinges on any minority or economically disadvantaged groups;
(d) whether the bill has any impact on one or more provinces or territories;
(e) whether the appropriate consultations have been conducted;
(f) whether the bill contains any obvious drafting errors;
(g) all amendments moved but not adopted in the committee, including the text of these amendments; and
(h) any other matter that, in the committee’s opinion, should be brought to the attention of the Senate.”—(Honourable Senator Frum)
No. 43. (fifteen)
February 4, 2016—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Fraser, seconded by the Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C.:
That, notwithstanding rule 12-27(1) and subsections 35(1), (4), (5) and (8) of the Ethics and Conflict of Interest Code for Senators, the Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Cordy, Frum, Joyal, P.C. and Tannas, be appointed to serve on the Standing Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators, until such time as a motion pursuant to rule 12-27(1) is adopted by the Senate; and
That, when a vacancy occurs in the membership of the committee before the establishment of the committee pursuant to rule 12-27(1), the replacement member shall be appointed by order of the Senate.
And on the motion in amendment of the Honourable Senator McCoy, seconded by the Honourable Senator Wallace:
That the motion be not now adopted, but that it be amended by replacing all words following the words “Ethics and Conflict of Interest Code for Senators,” by the following:
“the Standing Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators be composed of two Conservative senators, two Liberal senators, and one independent senator;
That the Conservative senators select the Conservative members to sit on the committee by means of a secret ballot;
That the Liberal senators select the Liberal members to sit on the committee by means of a secret ballot;
That the independent senators who are authorized to attend the Senate select the independent member to sit on the committee by means of a secret ballot;
That each of the groups of Conservative, Liberal and independent senators select a representative to move a motion in the Senate without notice that the selected senator or senators be a member or members of the committee, which motion shall be deemed seconded and adopted when moved;
That, when a vacancy occurs in the membership of the committee before the establishment of the committee pursuant to rule 12-27(1), the replacement member be appointed by the same process used to name the previous member of the committee; and
That the membership of Standing Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators as established pursuant to this motion remain in effect until such time as a motion pursuant to rule 12-27(1) is adopted by the Senate.”.—(Honourable Senator Martin)
Inquiries
No. 11. (four)
June 20, 2016—Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Tardif, calling the attention of the Senate to the Trans Canada Trail — its history, benefits and the challenges it is faced with as it approaches its 25th anniversary.—(Honourable Senator Mitchell)
No. 2. (seven)
March 9, 2016—Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Jaffer, calling the attention of the Senate to the human rights implications of climate change, and how it will affect the most vulnerable in Canada and the world by threatening their right to food, water, health, adequate shelter, life, and self-determination.—(Honourable Senator Martin)
No. 1. (seven)
December 10, 2015—Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Chaput, calling the attention of the Senate to the Program to Support Linguistic Rights, the importance of ensuring public financing of court actions that seek to create a fair and just society and to the urgent need for the federal government to re-establish the Court Challenges Program.—(Honourable Senator Maltais)
No. 3. (nine)
March 8, 2016—Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Fraser, calling the attention of the Senate to the work of the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians.—(Honourable Senator Martin)
No. 12. (ten)
May 18, 2016—Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Seidman, calling the attention of the Senate to its role in the protection of regional and minority representation.—(Honourable Senator Fraser)
No. 5. (fourteen)
May 5, 2016—Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator McCoy, calling the attention of the Senate to partisanship, politics, policy and party and how they play out in a Parliament.—(Honourable Senator McCoy)
No. 8. (fourteen)
May 5, 2016—Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Bellemare, calling the attention of the Senate to the Senate’s legislative work from the 24th to the 41st Parliament and on elements of evaluation.—(Honourable Senator Andreychuk)
Other
Nil
Notice Paper
Motions
No. 72. (six)
By the Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C.:
March 10, 2016—The Senate invite the Government of Canada to mark the 150th anniversary of Confederation by striking a commemorative medal which, with the traditional symbols of Canada, would recognize the inestimable contribution made by aboriginal peoples to the emergence of a better Canada; and
That this medal be distributed, among others, to those persons who contributed to improving the living conditions of all Canadians in a significant manner over the last 50 years.
No. 106. (three)
By the Honourable Senator Wallin:
June 21, 2016—That the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology be authorized to examine and report on the use of advance directives, and the laws, regulations and guidelines of the provinces and territories respecting the right to refuse care and treatment, as well as the role of substitute decision-makers; and
That the committee submit its final report no later than June 30, 2017 and that it retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings until 180 days after the tabling of the final report.
No. 109. (two)
By the Honourable Senator Wallin:
June 22, 2016—That, the Senate
(a)Recognizing the independence of all senators and acknowledging their right to choose their designation;
(b)And that this precedent goes back to Confederation;
(c)And that dozens of senators over time have chosen or changed their designations to or from political parties;
(d)And that this decision cannot be determined by a committee without the express consent of the individual senator;
That the Senate examine the procedures used by the Standing Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration to unilaterally and without consent change the designations of Independent senators.
No. 110. (two)
By the Honourable Senator Ringuette:
June 22, 2016—That any change to the designation of a Senator as listed on any Senate communications requires the authorization of that Senator in written form to the Speaker’s office. This applies retroactively to any changes as of May 1, 2016.
No. 116.
By the Honourable Senator Ringuette:
September 27, 2016—That a Special Committee on Senate Structural Transformation be appointed to consider;
1.methods to reduce the role of political parties in the Senate by establishing regional caucuses and systems to provide accountability to citizens;
2.methods to broaden participation of all senators in managing the business of the Senate by establishing a committee to assume those responsibilities, and to provide for equal regional representation on said committee;
3.methods to allow senators to participate in the selection of the Speaker of the Senate by providing a recommendation to the Prime Minister;
4.methods to adapt Question Period to better serve its role as an accountability exercise; and
5.such other matters as may be referred to it by the Senate;
That the committee be composed of nine members; 2 Liberal,3 Conservatives, and 4 Independents, to be nominated by their respective groups and that four members constitutes a quorum;
That, the committee have power to send for persons, papers and records; to examine witnesses; and to publish such papers and evidence from day to day as may be ordered by the committee;
That, notwithstanding rule 12-18(2)(b)(i), the committee have power to sit from Monday to Friday, even though the Senate may then be adjourned for a period exceeding one week; and
That the committee be empowered to report from time to time and to submit its final report no later than April 30, 2017.
Inquiries
For Friday, September 30, 2016
No. 13.
By the Honourable Senator Bellemare:
September 28, 2016—That she will call the attention of the Senate to the relevance of full employment in the 21st century in a Globalized economy.
No. 14.
By the Honourable Senator Hubley:
September 28, 2016—That she will call the attention of the Senate to the current state of literacy and literacy programs on Prince Edward Island, including the need for federal support of the PEI Literacy Alliance.
Written Questions
No. 1.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
April 14, 2016—With respect to the employees of Global Affairs Canada who have been posted outside Canada for ten or more consecutive years for the period 2004-2016, would the government provide for each of these employees the:
(a)name;
(b)title;
(c)location or locations;
(d)length of time outside Canada; and
(e)justification for continuous postings longer than five years.
No. 3.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
May 10, 2016—Has Veterans Affairs Canada appointed an Assistant Deputy Minister of Strategic Oversight and Communications? Is that position based in Ottawa?
Does the Director General of Communications, based in Charlottetown, report to the Assistant Deputy Minister in Ottawa?
Is Veterans Affairs Canada aware of any other department of the Government of Canada where the person with overall responsibility for communications is not working at that department’s National Headquarters?
No. 4.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
May 10, 2016—Further to the Veterans Affairs Minister’s letter to the editor of the Guardian newspaper in Prince Edward Island, published on May 3rd 2016, could the Minister advise if he is aware of any departments where the Deputy Minster (Walter Natynczyk), Associate Deputy Minister (Karen Ellis), and Assistant Deputy Minister (Sue Foster) spend the majority of their time working in another province, away from the National Headquarters?
How can services for veterans and their family members be effectively provided if so many of the senior managers are not working at the National Headquarters to provide leadership and direction?
Will the Minister of Veterans Affairs bring VAC into line with every other department, and move its senior leadership to the National Headquarters?
No. 5.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
May 10, 2016—In a letter published in the Guardian newspaper in Prince Edward Island on May 3rd 2016, the Minister of Veterans Affairs indicated that parts of the Information Technology (IT) and Human Resources (HR) functions of Veterans Affairs Canada have been consolidated by Shared Services Canada and Public Services and Procurement Canada, respectively, according to the Minister. VAC continues to have IT and HR divisions at its National Headquarters in Charlottetown.
Are the same numbers of employees working at VAC’s IT and HR divisions in Charlottetown as were employed in 2014? If not, what was size of the changes and what are the numbers as of May 11th 2016?
No. 6.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
May 10, 2016—According to the Public Service Commission of Canada, between 2008 and 2014, over 1,780 federal government jobs have been eliminated in Atlantic Canada and more than 360 of those jobs were in Prince Edward Island. During the exact same time period, the Ottawa area had their federal job employment increase by 1,835 positions.
In these difficult economic times, every job is precious, both to the people who need the work to support themselves and their families and to the economy in general. Nowhere is this more true than in Prince Edward Island, where this current economy has resulted in thousands of our citizens leaving home.
Obviously, government alone cannot solve the problem of unemployment. Meaningful economic development can only come from a healthy balanced economy that respects and welcomes the role of a robust private sector to invest the time and money to create the jobs that will allow Islanders to remain in their home province to build their future.
However, a balanced economy means that there is an important role for our government to play. In addition to a range of programs from tax policy to procurement, the federal government is Canada’s largest employer: even excluding the military and the RCMP, over a quarter of a million people are employed by the Government of Canada. These jobs, and the purchasing power they represent, make the federal government an important player in the Canadian economy, and the way those jobs are distributed across Canada has a major impact on regional economies.
In the past, moving government employment away from Ottawa has served to spread these jobs — and the benefits derived from them — throughout the country. Clearly, federal government jobs can play an important role in the economy of a region like Atlantic Canada, and the best example of the benefits of decentralization is the move of Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) National Headquarters from Ottawa to Charlottetown.
Unfortunately, in the last number of years jobs have been eliminated at VAC Headquarters in Charlottetown. In addition, many senior managers are working in Ottawa, and not at the National Headquarters. How can these senior managers provide leadership within the Department to provide services to veterans and their families if they are working in another province?
Veterans Affairs Canada had 1401 employees in Prince Edward Island in 2010. That number was reduced to 1100 in 2014.
How many employees were working at Veterans Affairs Canada National Headquarters in Prince Edward Island for fiscal year 2015-2016, broken down by tenure (indeterminate, term, casual, student)?
No. 7.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
May 10, 2016—According to a letter published in the Guardian newspaper in Prince Edward Island on May 3rd 2016 the Minister of Veterans Affairs identified 39 “senior management positions” at Veterans Affairs Canada.
1.How many of these 39 senior management positions are located at the National Headquarters of VAC in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island?
2.Who are these senior managers, identified by name, position title and salary range for each position?
3.Would the department provide a detailed list of the actual days that each of those 39 senior managers identified by the minister worked at the National Headquarters in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island and how many days they worked in Ottawa since their respective appointments?
No. 10.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
May 11, 2016—With respect to priority hiring:
Since 2005, qualified medically released Canadian Forces (CF) veterans have been eligible for priority employment appointments in the federal public service.
These new provisions have created important future career opportunities for veterans, but unfortunately, there are low participation levels in most federal government departments — participation that is vital in making these opportunities a reality for our injured veterans.
Statistics from the Public Service Commission show that in 2007-2008, 69 percent of medically released veterans using the priority system were appointed to one department, the Department of National Defence. Other departments are only marginally participating in this program, and in that year alone, 67 veterans had their priority appointment status expire without finding a position in the public service.
For the period from January 1, 2005, to May 1, 2016:
1.How many people were hired by the federal public service;
2.How many casual employees were hired by the federal public service;
3.How many term employees were hired by the federal public service;
4.How many indeterminate employees were hired by the federal public service;
5.How many members of the Canadian Forces have been medically released;
6.How many of these qualified medically released members have applied for a priority employment appointment in the federal public service;
7.How many have received a priority employment appointment;
8.How many were still on the priority employment appointment list when their eligibility period expired;
9.How many qualified medically released Canadian Forces veterans were hired by each federal Government department; and
10.What measures are being taken to extend this program to account for the large number of temporary and contract workers employed by the federal Government?
No. 11.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
May 11, 2016—With respect to the Veterans Charter:
In November, 2010 the Government of Canada tabled the Enhanced New Veterans Charter Act, containing measures “totaling two billion dollars”.
Regarding this amount:
Over what time frame was this money to be spent?
How much of the $2billion has been spent?
No. 12.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
May 11, 2016—Regarding the sale of Canadian diplomatic properties abroad, for the period 2006-2016:
1.Which properties have been sold?
a.What was the assessed value of each property?
b.Who was responsible for the valuation of each property?
c.What was the asking price for each property?
d.What was the final sale price for each property?
e.What real estate agency or similar private company was engaged to execute or assist in the sale of each property?
f.How much was each private company paid for each sale?
g.Were there other expenses incurred (fees, taxes, etc.) as part of each sale, and if so what was the total cost for each?
2.Which properties are for sale or are under consideration for eventual sale?
a.What is the assessed value of each property?
b.Who was responsible for the valuation of each property?
c.What is the asking price for each property?
d.What real estate agency or similar private company is being engaged to execute or assist in the sale of each property?
e.How much is each private company being paid for each sale?
3.Specifically, regarding the sale of MacDonald House in London, United Kingdom:
a.What was the assessed value of MacDonald House?
b.Were there other expenses incurred (fees, taxes, etc.) as part of the sale, and if so what was the total cost?
No. 13.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
May 11, 2016—With respect to the Veterans Charter:
Veterans Affairs Canada began granting a tax-free, lump sum disability award and a tax-free, lump sum death benefit in 2005.
A.Could the Government of Canada provide the following information for each fiscal year from 2005 to 2016:
(i)How many veterans have received a lump sum disability award?
(a)how many eligible recipients received the maximum amount;
(b)what is the percentage of eligible recipients who received less than $50,000;
(c)what is the percentage of eligible recipients who received between $50,000 and $99,000;
(d)what is the percentage of eligible recipients who received between $100,000 and $149,999;
(e)what is the percentage of eligible recipients who received between $150,000 and $199,999; and
(f)what is the percentage of eligible recipients who received between $200,000 and $249,999?
(ii)How many families have received a lump sum death benefit?
(iii)How many problem cases associated with a lump sum disability award or death benefit have been forwarded to the Minister of Veterans Affairs’ or Deputy Minister’s attention?
(iv)How many recipients of the lump-sum disability award or death benefit filed a complaint with the department about either benefit?
(v)After receiving a lump-sum payment, how many recipients or their dependants have requested additional funds?
B.Are follow-up assessments with lump-sum payment recipients or their dependants conducted by the department?
C.Has Veterans Affairs Canada reviewed or evaluated the lump-sum disability award and death benefit programs? If so, what findings or conclusions have been made?
No. 14.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
May 11, 2016—With respect to Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), the recommendation by the Special Needs Advisory Group (SNAG) in 2006 that Veterans Affairs Canada employ veterans, and the response of the Government to an October 19, 2010, Inquiry of Ministry on this subject:
(a)What has been the impact of the recruitment plan developed by VAC in response to SNAG’s recommendation?
(b)What, if any, further action has been taken to implement the recommendation since the response of the Government to the Inquiry of Ministry in February 2011?
(c)Has SNAG reviewed or commented upon the actions taken by the government thus far?
(d)What has been the response, if any, of the Government to these comments?
No. 16.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
May 11, 2016—With respect to the government’s decision not to implement recommendation nine from the June 2009 report of the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs, entitled Shared Experiences: Comparisons of Veterans Services Offered by Members of the Commonwealth and the G8”:
(a)what criteria were used to arrive at this decision;
(b)what was the policy rationale for the decision; and
(c)is the government considering any other information sharing arrangements to better identify veterans and their families in order to ensure that they receive the benefits available to them?