Journals of the Senate
69 Elizabeth II , A.D. 2020, Canada
2nd Session, 43rd Parliament
Issue 17 (Unrevised)
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
2 p.m.
The Honourable GEORGE J. FUREY, Speaker
The Members convened were:
The Honourable Senators
AndersonAtaullahjanBattersBellemareBernardBeyakBlack (Alberta)Black (Ontario)BoehmBoisvenuBonifaceBoveyBoyerBrazeauBussonCampbellCarignanChristmasCordyCormierCotterCoyleDagenaisDalphondDaskoDawsonDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDuffyDuncanDupuisForestForest-NiesingFrancisFrumFureyGagnéGalvezGoldGreeneGriffinHarderHartlingHousakosJafferKeatingKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLankinLoffredaLovelace NicholasMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMarwahMassicotteMcCallumMcPhedranMégieMercerMiville-DechêneMocklerMoncionMoodieMunsonNgoOhOmidvarPatePattersonPetitclercPlettPoirierRavaliaRichardsRinguetteSaint-GermainSeidmanSimonsSinclairSmithStewart OlsenTannasVernerWallinWellsWetstonWhiteWoo
The Members in attendance to business were:
The Honourable Senators
AndersonAtaullahjanBattersBellemareBernardBeyakBlack (Alberta)Black (Ontario)BoehmBoisvenuBonifaceBoveyBoyerBrazeauBussonCampbellCarignanChristmasCordyCormierCotterCoyleDagenaisDalphondDaskoDawsonDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDuffyDuncanDupuisForestForest-NiesingFrancisFrumFureyGagnéGalvezGoldGreeneGriffinHarderHartlingHousakosJafferKeatingKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLankinLoffredaLovelace NicholasMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMarwahMassicotteMcCallumMcPhedranMégieMercerMiville-DechêneMocklerMoncionMoodieMunsonNgoOhOmidvarPatePattersonPetitclercPlettPoirierRavaliaRichardsRinguetteSaint-GermainSeidmanSimonsSinclairSmithStewart OlsenTannasVernerWallinWellsWetstonWhiteWoo
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
At 2:08 p.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 2:13 p.m., the sitting resumed.
Senators’ Statements
Some Honourable Senators made statements.
ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS
Presenting or Tabling Reports from Committees
The Honourable Senator Ataullahjan tabled the following (Sessional Paper No. 2/43-484S):
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights has the honour to table its
FIRST REPORT
Your committee, which was authorized by the Senate to incur expenses for the purpose of its examination and consideration of such matters as were referred to it, tables, pursuant to rule 12-26(2), the following report on expenses incurred for that purpose during the First Session of the Forty-second Parliament:
| 1. | Witness Expenses | $ | 62,101 |
2.With respect to its special study to examine the steps being taken to facilitate the integration of newly-arrived Syrian refugees and to address the challenges they are facing, including by the various levels of government, private sponsors and non-governmental organizations, authorized by the Senate on Thursday, April 14, 2016 (final report tabled December 2016):
| Travel Expense | $ | 18,839 |
3.With respect to its special study to examine the issues relating to the human rights of prisoners in the correctional system, with emphasis on the federal system, and with reference to both national and international law and standards, as well as to examine the situation of vulnerable or disadvantaged groups in federal prisons, including indigenous people, visible minorities, women and those with mental health concerns, authorized by the Senate on Thursday, December 15, 2016:
| Travel Expense | $ | 187,666 |
During the session, your committee held 92 meetings (167 hours 22 minutes), heard 382 witnesses and submitted 17 reports in relation to its work. Your committee examined six bills and received a total of 15 orders of reference.
During the First Session of the Forty-third Parliament the committee was not created and therefore did not incur any expenses.
Respectfully submitted,
SALMA ATAULLAHJAN
Chair
The Honourable Senator Jaffer tabled the following (Sessional Paper No. 2/43-485S):
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs has the honour to table its
FIRST REPORT
Your committee, which was authorized by the Senate to incur expenses for the purpose of its examination and consideration of such matters as were referred to it, tables, pursuant to rule 12-26(2), the following report on expenses incurred for that purpose during the First Session of the Forty-second Parliament:
| 1. | Witness Expenses | $ | 173,607 |
2.With respect to its examination and consideration of legislation:
| General Expenses | $ | 8,278 |
3.With respect to its study on matters pertaining to delays in Canada’s criminal justice system (final report tabled June 2017):
| Travel Expenses | $ | 100,294 |
During the session, your committee held 155 meetings (295 hours and 44 minutes), heard 725 witnesses and submitted 35 reports in relation to its work. Your committee examined 28 bills, the subject-matter of six bills, conducted two special studies, one Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment and received a total of 47 orders of reference.
During the First Session of the Forty-third Parliament the committee was not created and therefore did not incur any expenses.
Respectfully submitted,
MOBINA S. B. JAFFER
Chair
The Honourable Senator Christmas tabled the following (Sessional Paper No. 2/43-486S):
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples has the honour to table its
FIRST REPORT
Your committee, which was authorized by the Senate to incur expenses for the purpose of its examination and consideration of such matters as were referred to it, tables, pursuant to rule 12-26(2), the following report on expenses incurred for that purpose during the First Session of the Forty-second Parliament:
| 1. | Witness Expenses | $ | 164,645 |
2.With respect to its special study on the federal government’s constitutional, treaty, political and legal responsibilities to First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples and other matters generally relating to the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada, authorized by the Senate on Tuesday, February 2, 2016:
| General Expenses | $ | 200 |
3. With respect to its special study on best practices and on-going challenges relating to housing in First Nation and Inuit communities in Nunavut, Nunavik, Nunatsiavut and the Northwest Territories, authorized by the Senate on Tuesday, February 18, 2016 (final report tabled March 2017):
| General Expenses | $ | 8,350 |
| Travel Expenses | 125,375 | |
| TOTAL | $ | 135,725 |
4. With respect to its special study on the new relationship between Canada and First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, authorized by the Senate on Tuesday, December 15, 2016:
| General Expenses | $ | 2,369 |
| Travel Expenses | 233,762 | |
| TOTAL | $ | 236,131 |
During the session, your committee held 130 meetings (242 hours 4 minutes), heard 489 witnesses and submitted 23 reports in relation to its work. Your committee examined seven bills and received a total of 20 orders of reference.
During the First Session of the Forty-third Parliament the committee was not created and therefore did not incur any expenses.
Respectfully submitted,
Daniel Christmas
Chair
The Honourable Senator Mockler, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance, tabled the second report (interim) of the committee, entitled The expenditures set out in the Main Estimates and the Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-487S.
The Honourable Senator Mockler moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin, 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 Government Bills
A message was brought from the House of Commons with Bill C-16, An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021, to which it desires the concurrence of the Senate.
The bill was read the first time.
With leave of the Senate,
The Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gagné, that the bill be placed on the Orders of the Day for a second reading at the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
A message was brought from the House of Commons with Bill C-17, An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021, to which it desires the concurrence of the Senate.
The bill was read the first time.
With leave of the Senate,
The Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gagné, that the bill be placed on the Orders of the Day for a second reading 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-221, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (mischief related to memorials to first responders).
The bill was read the first time.
The Honourable Senator Housakos moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin, 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.
Question Period
The Senate proceeded to Question Period.
Orders of the Day
The Senate resumed debate on the point of order, raised on December 3, 2020, concerning unparliamentary language.
After debate,
The Speaker reserved his decision.
Government Business
Bills – Second Reading
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Ravalia, seconded by the Honourable Senator Pate, for the second reading of Bill S-3, An Act to amend the Offshore Health and Safety Act.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The bill was then read the second time.
The Honourable Senator Ravalia moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Wells, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Dalphond, seconded by the Honourable Senator Galvez, for the second reading of Bill C-3, An Act to amend the Judges Act and the Criminal Code.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Martin 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.
Motions
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Gagné, seconded by the Honourable Senator Petitclerc:
That the following Address be presented to Her Excellency the Governor General of Canada:
To Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, 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.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Gagné moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Other Business
Senate Public Bills – Second Reading
Orders No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Pate, seconded by the Honourable Senator Boehm, for the second reading of Bill S-207, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (independence of the judiciary).
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Duncan moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator McPhedran, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Order No. 8 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator McPhedran, seconded by the Honourable Senator Loffreda, for the second reading of Bill S-209, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act and the Regulation Adapting the Canada Elections Act for the Purposes of a Referendum (voting age).
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Black (Ontario) moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dagenais, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Moodie, seconded by the Honourable Senator Mégie, for the second reading of Bill S-210, An Act to establish the Office of the Commissioner for Children and Youth in Canada.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Duncan moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Pate, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Miville-Dechêne, seconded by the Honourable Senator Pate, for the second reading of Bill S-216, An Act to enact the Modern Slavery Act and to amend the Customs Tariff.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator McPhedran moved, for the Honourable Senator Jaffer, seconded by the Honourable Senator Mégie, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 17, 18, 19 and 20 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Motions
Orders No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12 and 13 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Housakos, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages be authorized to examine and report on the Government of Canada’s decision to award a contract for a student grant program to WE Charity, a third party without the capacity to do so in both official languages, in apparent contravention of Canada’s Official Languages Act, when and if the committee is formed; and
That the committee submit its final report no later than February 28, 2021.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Dupuis moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Harder, P.C., that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 17 and 18 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Deacon (Ontario), for the Honourable Senator Lankin, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Pate:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, when and if it is formed, be authorized to examine and report on the future of workers in order to evaluate:
(a)how data and information on the gig economy in Canada is being collected and potential gaps in knowledge;
(b)the effectiveness of current labour protections for people who work through digital platforms and temporary foreign workers programs;
(c)the negative impacts of precarious work and the gig economy on benefits, pensions and other government services relating to employment; and
(d)the accessibility of retraining and skills development programs for workers;
That, in conducting this evaluation, the committee pay particular attention to the negative effects of precarious employment being disproportionately felt by workers of colour, new immigrant and Indigenous workers; and
That the committee submit its final report on this study to the Senate no later than September 30, 2022.
Debate.
Pursuant to rule 3-3(1) and the order adopted by the Senate on October 27, 2020, the Speaker left the Chair to resume the same at 7 p.m.
The sitting resumed.
Motions
The Senate resumed debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Deacon (Ontario), for the Honourable Senator Lankin, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Pate:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, when and if it is formed, be authorized to examine and report on the future of workers in order to evaluate:
(a)how data and information on the gig economy in Canada is being collected and potential gaps in knowledge;
(b)the effectiveness of current labour protections for people who work through digital platforms and temporary foreign workers programs;
(c)the negative impacts of precarious work and the gig economy on benefits, pensions and other government services relating to employment; and
(d)the accessibility of retraining and skills development programs for workers;
That, in conducting this evaluation, the committee pay particular attention to the negative effects of precarious employment being disproportionately felt by workers of colour, new immigrant and Indigenous workers; and
That the committee submit its final report on this study to the Senate no later than September 30, 2022.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Dagenais moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Black (Ontario), that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 29, 31 and 33 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Housakos, seconded by the Honourable Senator Smith:
That the Senate of Canada call upon the Government of Canada to immediately condemn the joint Azerbaijani-Turkish aggression against the Republic of Artsakh, uphold the ban on military exports to Turkey, recognize the Republic of Artsakh’s inalienable right to self-determination and, in light of further escalation and continued targeting of innocent Armenian civilians, recognize the independence of the Republic of Artsakh.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
BattersBeyakBoisvenuDagenaisHousakosMacDonaldMarshallMocklerNgoPattersonPlettPoirierRichardsSeidmanSmithWells—16
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
BellemareBernardBlack (Alberta)Black (Ontario)BoehmBonifaceBoveyBoyerBrazeauBussonCordyCormierCotterCoyleDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDuffyDuncanDupuisForestForest-NiesingFrancisGagnéGalvezGoldGriffinHarderHartlingJafferKeatingKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMarwahMégieMercerMiville-DechêneMoncionMunsonOmidvarPateRavaliaSaint-GermainSimonsTannasVernerWhiteWoo—53
ABSTENTIONS
The Honourable Senators
LankinMcCallumMcPhedranOhWetston—5
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Brazeau, seconded by the Honourable Senator Harder, P.C.:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology be authorized to examine and report on suicide prevention and mental health needs among Canadian boys and men, and the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples in suicide statistics, when and if the committee is formed; and
That the committee submit its final report no later than December 31, 2021.
The Honourable Senator Plett moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin:
That the Senate do now adjourn.
The question being put on the motion, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
AtaullahjanBattersBeyakBlack (Ontario)DagenaisMacDonaldMartinPattersonPoirierSeidmanSmithWellsWoo—13
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
BellemareBernardBlack (Alberta)BonifaceBoveyBoyerBrazeauBussonCordyCormierCotterCoyleDaskoDawsonDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDuffyDuncanDupuisForestForest-NiesingFrancisGagnéGoldJafferKeatingKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLankinLoffredaMarwahMcPhedranMégieMercerMiville-DechêneOmidvarPateRavaliaSaint-GermainWetston—43
ABSTENTIONS
The Honourable Senators
GalvezSimons—2
ADJOURNMENT
At 9:10 p.m., pursuant to the order adopted by the Senate on October 27, 2020, the Senate adjourned until 2 p.m., tomorrow.
DOCUMENTS DEPOSITED WITH THE CLERK OF THE SENATE PURSUANT TO RULE 14-1(7)
Report of the Canadian International Trade Tribunal, pursuant to the Canadian International Trade Tribunal Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 47 (4th Supp.), sbs. 20.2(3).—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-480.
Annual Report on the administration of the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act for the year 2019, pursuant to the Act, S.C. 2018, c. 12, s. 270.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-481.
Reports by Federal Authorities with Obligations under Section 71 of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, pursuant to the Act, S.C. 2012, c. 19, s. 52 “71(2)”.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-482.
Departmental Results Reports for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020:
Accessibility Standards Canada
Administrative Tribunals Support Service of Canada
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Canada Border Services Agency
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Canada Energy Regulator
Canada Revenue Agency
Canada School of Public Service
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Canadian Grain Commission
Canadian Heritage
Canadian Human Rights Commission
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat
Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
Canadian Space Agency
Canadian Transportation Agency
Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Copyright Board of Canada
Correctional Service of Canada
Courts Administration Service
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
Department of Finance Canada
Department of Justice Canada
Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces
Employment and Social Development Canada
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Global Affairs Canada
Health Canada
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Impact Assessment Agency of Canada
Indigenous Services Canada
Infrastructure Canada
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Invest in Canada Hub
Library and Archives Canada
Military Grievances External Review Committee
Military Police Complaints Commission of Canada
National Film Board
National Research Council of Canada
National Security and Intelligence Review Agency
Natural Resources Canada
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Northern Pipeline Agency Canada
Office of the Auditor General of Canada
Office of the Chief Electoral Officer
Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs Canada
Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada
Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada
Office of the Intelligence Commissioner
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada
Office of the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Canada
Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada
Parks Canada
Parole Board of Canada
Patented Medicine Prices Review Board Canada
Polar Knowledge Canada
Privy Council Office
Public Health Agency of Canada
Public Prosecution Service of Canada
Public Safety Canada
Public Service Commission of Canada
Public Services and Procurement Canada
RCMP External Review Committee
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Secretariat of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians
Security Intelligence Review Committee
Shared Services Canada
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
Statistics Canada
The Correctional Investigator Canada
The National Battlefields Commission
Transport Canada
Transportation Safety Board of Canada
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
Veterans Affairs Canada
Veterans Review and Appeal Board
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Women and Gender Equality Canada—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-483.
Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5
Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
The Honourable Senator Boyer replaced the Honourable Senator Pate (December 4, 2020).
Standing Senate Committee on National Finance
The Honourable Senator Galvez replaced the Honourable Senator Pate (December 7, 2020).
The Honourable Senator Pate replaced the Honourable Senator Galvez (December 7, 2020).
The Honourable Senator Boehm replaced the Honourable Senator Pate (December 7, 2020).
The Honourable Senator Pate replaced the Honourable Senator Boehm (December 7, 2020).