THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL SECURITY, DEFENCE AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Monday, November 27, 2023
(45)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs met this day at 3 p.m., in room C128, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Tony Dean, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Anderson, Boehm, Boisvenu, Cardozo, Carignan, P.C., Coyle, Dagenais, Dasko, Deacon (Ontario), Dean, LaBoucane-Benson, Plett, Richards and Yussuff (14).
Participating in the meeting: Andrea Mugny and Sara Gajic, procedural clerks, Martine Willox and Maya Zeinali, legislative clerks, and Sofiya Saphea, Administrative Assistant, Committees Directorate; Ariel Shapiro and Anne-Marie Therrien-Tremblay, analysts, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, the committee continued its consideration of Bill C-21, An Act to amend certain Acts and to make certain consequential amendments (firearms).
WITNESSES:
Royal Canadian Mounted Police:
Kellie Paquette, Director General, Canadian Firearms Program;
Robert Mackinnon, Director, Firearms Business Improvement Directorate.
It was agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-21.
It was agreed that the title stand postponed.
It was agreed that clause 0.1 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 0.2 carry, on division.
The chair asked whether clause 1 shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Plett moved that Bill C-21 be amended in clause 1, on page 2, by replacing line 6 with the following:
“1 (0.1) The definition antique firearm in subsection 84(1) of the Act is amended by striking out “or” at the end of paragraph (a) and by adding the following after paragraph (a):
(a.1) any firearm that is designed or intended to exactly reproduce, or to reproduce with near precision, a firearm described in paragraph (a) and that has not been redesigned to discharge rim-fire or centre-fire ammunition, or
(1) The definition prohibited firearm in subsec-”.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Anderson, Boisvenu, Carignan, Plett, Richards — [5]
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Boehm, Cardozo, Coyle, Dagenais, Dasko, Deacon (Ontario), Dean LaBoucane-Benson, Yussuff — [9]
ABSTENTIONS
NIL
The Honourable Senator Plett moved that Bill C-21 be amended in clause 1, on page 2, by deleting lines 14 to 27.
The question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Anderson, Boisvenu, Carignan, Plett, Richards — [5]
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Cardozo, Coyle, Dagenais, Dasko, Deacon (Ontario), Dean, LaBoucane-Benson, Yussuff — [8]
ABSTENTIONS
NIL
The Honourable Senator Plett moved that Bill C-21 be amended in clause 1, on page 3, by replacing line 4 with the following:
“cision, an antique firearm or any such device that is brightly coloured on 25% or more of its surface; (réplique)”.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Boisvenu, Carignan, Plett, Richards — [4]
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Anderson, Cardozo, Coyle, Dagenais, Dasko, Deacon (Ontario), Dean, LaBoucane-Benson, Yussuff — [9]
ABSTENTIONS
NIL
It was agreed that clause 1 carry, on division.
The Honourable Senator Carignan moved that Bill C-21 be amended on page 3 by adding the following after line 27:
“1.01 (1) Subsection 95(1) of the Act is replaced by the following:
95 (1) Subject to subsection (3), every person commits an offence who possesses a loaded prohibited firearm or restricted firearm, or an unloaded prohibited firearm or restricted firearm together with ammunition that is capable of being discharged in the firearm and that is capable of being loaded into it without delay.
(2) Paragraph 95(2)(a) of the Act is replaced by the following:
(a) is guilty of an indictable offence and is liable
(i) in either of the following cases, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years and to a minimum punishment of imprisonment for a term of three years for a first offence and five years for a second or subsequent offence:
(A) the offence is committed for the purpose of committing an indictable offence under this Act or the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, or
(B) the offence is committed in a manner that, having regard to all the circumstances, creates a real risk of physical or psychological harm to another person, and
(ii) in any other case, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years; or
(3) Subsection 95(3) of the Act is replaced by the following:
(2.1) For the purposes of clause (2)(a)(i)(B), in the absence of evidence to the contrary, the offence is deemed to be committed in a manner that, having regard to all the circumstances, creates a real risk of physical or psychological harm to another person if it is committed
(a) in a place where another person is present; or
(b) in or next to a school or other public place, as defined in section 150, usually frequented by persons under the age of 18 years, at a time when such persons can reasonably be expected to be present.
(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person who
(a) possesses the firearm in accordance with the Firearms Act and any regulation made under section 117 of that Act respecting the storage, handling, transportation or display of prohibited firearms or restricted firearms, as the case may be;
(b) is using the firearm under the direct and immediate supervision of another person who is lawfully entitled to possess it and is using the firearm in a manner in which that other person may lawfully use it; or
(c) comes into possession of the firearm by the operation of law and intends to, within a reasonable period, lawfully dispose of it or take the necessary measures to possess it in accordance with the Firearms Act and any regulation made under section 117 of that Act respecting the storage, handling, transportation or display of prohibited firearms or restricted firearms, as the case may be.
(4) For greater certainty, a person may plead the common law rule of innocent possession in respect of proceedings for an offence under subsection (1).”.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Anderson, Boisvenu, Carignan, Dagenais, Plett, Richards — [6]
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Boehm, Cardozo, Coyle, Dasko, Deacon (Ontario), Dean, LaBoucane-Benson, Yussuff — [8]
ABSTENTIONS
NIL
The Honourable Senator Carignan moved that Bill C-21 be amended on page 3 by adding the following after line 27:
“1.01 Paragraph 96(2)(a) of the Act is replaced by the following:
(a) is guilty of an indictable offence and is liable
(i) in the case of a prohibited firearm, a restricted firearm or a non-restricted firearm designed to discharge centre-fire ammunition, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years and to a minimum punishment of imprisonment for a term of one year, and
(ii) in any other case, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years; or”.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Anderson, Boisvenu, Carignan, Dagenais, Plett, Richards — [6]
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Boehm, Cardozo, Coyle, Dasko, Deacon (Ontario), Dean, LaBoucane-Benson, Yussuff — [8]
ABSTENTIONS
NIL
The Honourable Senator Carignan moved that Bill C-21 be amended on page 3 by adding the following after line 27:
“1.01 Subsection 85(3) of the Act is replaced by the following:
(3) Every person who commits an offence under subsection (1) or (2) is guilty of an indictable offence and liable
(a) in the case of a first offence, except as provided in paragraph (b), to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years and to a minimum punishment of imprisonment for a term of one year; and
(b) in the case of a second or subsequent offence, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years and to a minimum punishment of imprisonment for a term of three years.”.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Anderson, Boisvenu, Carignan, Dagenais, Plett, Richards — [6]
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Boehm, Cardozo, Coyle, Dasko, Deacon (Ontario), Dean, LaBoucane-Benson, Yussuff — [8]
ABSTENTIONS
NIL
The Honourable Senator Boisvenu moved that Bill C-21 be amended on page 3 by adding the following after line 27:
“1.01 Subsection 92(3) of the Act is replaced by the following:
(3) Every person who commits an offence under subsection (1) or (2) is guilty of an indictable offence and liable
(a) in the case of a first offence, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years;
(b) in the case of a second offence, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years and to a minimum punishment of imprisonment for a term of one year; and
(c) in the case of a third or subsequent offence, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years and to a minimum punishment of imprisonment for a term of two years less a day.”.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Anderson, Boisvenu, Carignan, Dagenais, Plett, Richards — [6]
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Boehm, Cardozo, Coyle, Dasko, Deacon (Ontario), Dean, LaBoucane-Benson, Yussuff — [8]
ABSTENTIONS
NIL
It was agreed that clause 1.1 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 1.2 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 1.3 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 1.4 carry, on division.
The chair asked whether clause 1.5 shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Boisvenu moved that Bill C-21 be amended in clause 1.5, on page 6, by adding the following after line 23:
“(2.1) Section 103 of the Act is amended by adding the following after subsection (2):
(2.01) Despite subsection (2), every person who commits an offence under subsection (1) for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with, a criminal organization is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years and to a minimum punishment of imprisonment for a term of five years.”.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Anderson, Boisvenu, Carignan, Dagenais, Plett, Richards — [6]
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Boehm, Cardozo, Coyle, Dasko, Deacon (Ontario), Dean, LaBoucane-Benson, Yussuff — [8]
ABSTENTIONS
NIL
It was agreed that clause 1.5 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 1.6 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 2 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 3 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 3.1 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 3.2 carry, on division.
The chair asked whether clause 4 shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Boisvenu moved that Bill C-21 be amended in clause 4,
(a) on page 10,
(i) by replacing lines 1 to 3 with the following:
“110.1 (1) A member of a person’s immediate family or an individual who resides with the person, an organization authorized to submit an application on the family member’s or that individual’s behalf, a peace officer or a medical professional may make an ex parte application to a provincial court judge for an order prohibiting the person against whom the order is sought from possessing any firearm, cross-bow,”,
(ii) by replacing line 6 with the following:
“stance, or all such things, if the person applying believes on rea-”;
(b) on page 15,
(i) by replacing lines 26 to 28 with the following:
“110.1 (1) A member of a person’s immediate family or an individual who resides with the person, an organization authorized to submit an application on the family member’s or that individual’s behalf, a peace officer or a medical professional may make an ex parte application to a provincial court judge for an order prohibiting the person against whom the order is sought from possessing any firearm, cross-bow,”,
(ii) by replacing line 31 with the following:
“plosive substance, or all such things, if the person applying be-”.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Anderson, Boisvenu, Carignan, Plett, Richards — [5]
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Boehm, Cardozo, Coyle, Dasko, Deacon (Ontario), Dean, LaBoucane-Benson, Yussuff — [8]
ABSTENTIONS
NIL
After debate, it was agreed that clause 4 carry, on division.
At 5:12 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:36 p.m., the committee resumed.
It was agreed that clause 5 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 6 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 7 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 8 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 9 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 9.1 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 10 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 10.1 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 11 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 11.1 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 11.2 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 11.3 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 12 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 12.1 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 12.2 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 12.3 carry, on division.
The Honourable Senator Plett moved that Bill C-21 be amended on page 28 by adding the following after line 4:
“12.4 Subsections 117.15(1) and (2) of the Act are replaced by the following:
117.15 (1) Subject to subsections (2) to (2.4), the Governor in Council may make regulations prescribing anything that by this Part is to be or may be prescribed.
(2) Before a regulation is made prescribing any thing to be a prohibited firearm, a restricted firearm, a prohibited weapon, a restricted weapon, a prohibited device or prohibited ammunition, the Minister shall
(a) if the proposed regulation may affect one or more Indigenous groups’, communities’ or peoples’ rights recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, consult with a variety of Indigenous governing bodies and a variety of Indigenous organizations to take into account the unique circumstances and needs of those Indigenous groups, communities and peoples and prepare a report describing the consultations undertaken; and
(b) cause the proposed regulation and any report prepared under paragraph (a) to be tabled in both Houses of Parliament.
(2.1) A proposed regulation tabled in a House of Parliament under paragraph (2)(b) shall, on the day it is tabled or, if a House is not then sitting, on the next day on which that House is sitting, be referred by that House to an appropriate committee of that House, as determined by the rules of that House, and the committee may conduct inquiries or public hearings with respect to the proposed regulation and report its findings to that House.
(2.2) A regulation may not be made before the earliest of
(a) 30 sitting days after the proposed regulation is tabled in both Houses of Parliament;
(b) 90 calendar days after the proposed regulation is tabled in both Houses of Parliament; and
(c) the day after the day on which each appropriate committee has reported its findings with respect to the proposed regulation.
(2.3) The Minister shall take into account any report of the committee of either House. If a regulation does not incorporate a recommendation of the committee of either House, the Minister shall cause to be tabled in that House a statement of the reasons for not incorporating it.
(2.4) A proposed regulation that has been tabled before both Houses of Parliament need not be tabled again prior to the making of the regulation, whether it has been altered or not.
(2.5) The following definitions apply in this section.
Indigenous governing body means a council, government or other entity that is authorized to act on behalf of an Indigenous group, community or people that holds rights recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. (corps dirigeant autochtone)
Indigenous organization means an Indigenous entity that represents the interests of an Indigenous group and its members. (organisme autochtone)
Minister means the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness. (ministre)
sitting day means a day on which either House of Parliament sits. (jour de séance).”.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Anderson, Boisvenu, Carignan, Plett, Richards — [5]
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Boehm, Cardozo, Coyle, Dagenais, Dasko, Deacon (Ontario), Dean, LaBoucane-Benson, Yussuff — [9]
ABSTENTIONS
NIL
It was agreed that clause 13 carry, on division.
The Honourable Senator Boisvenu moved that Bill C-21 be amended on page 28 by adding the following after line 20:
“13.01 Paragraph 244(2)(b) of the Act is replaced by the following:
(b) in any other case, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years and to a minimum punishment of imprisonment for a term of four years.”.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Anderson, Boisvenu, Carignan, Dagenais, Plett, Richards — [6]
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Boehm, Cardozo, Coyle, Dasko, Deacon (Ontario), Dean, LaBoucane-Benson, Yussuff — [8]
ABSTENTIONS
NIL
The Honourable Senator Boisvenu moved that Bill C-21 be amended on page 28 by adding the following after line 20:
“13.01 Subsection 344(1) of the Act is amended by adding the following after paragraph (a):
(a.1) in any other case where a firearm is used in the commission of the offence, to imprisonment for life and to a minimum punishment of imprisonment for a term of four years; and”.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Anderson, Boisvenu, Carignan, Dagenais, Plett, Richards — [6]
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Boehm, Cardozo, Coyle, Dasko, Deacon (Ontario), Dean, LaBoucane-Benson, Yussuff — [8]
ABSTENTIONS
NIL
At 6:13 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 6:20 p.m., the committee resumed.
The Honourable Senator Carignan moved that Bill C-21 be amended on page 28 by adding the following after line 20:
“13.01 Section 231 of the Act is amended by adding the following after subsection (6.2):
(6.3) Irrespective of whether a murder is planned and deliberate on the part of a person, murder is first degree murder when the death is caused by that person’s discharge of a firearm at or into a public place as defined in section 150.”.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Boisvenu, Carignan, Dagenais, Plett, Richards — [5]
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Anderson, Boehm, Cardozo, Coyle, Dasko, Deacon (Ontario), Dean, LaBoucane-Benson, Yussuff — [9]
ABSTENTIONS
NIL
It was agreed that clause 13.1 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 13.2 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 13.3 carry, on division.
The Honourable Senator Plett moved that Bill C-21 be amended on page 30 by adding the following after line 3:
“13.31 Section 743.6 is amended by adding the following after subsection (1.2):
(1.3) Notwithstanding section 120 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, where an offender receives a sentence of imprisonment of two years or more, including a sentence of imprisonment for life imposed otherwise than as a minimum punishment, on conviction for an offence during the commission of which the offender or a party to the offence discharged a firearm at or into a public place, as that term is defined in section 150, the court may order that the portion of the sentence that must be served before the offender may be released on full parole is two-thirds of the sentence or 10 years, whichever is less.”.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Anderson, Boisvenu, Carignan, Dagenais, Plett, Richards — [6]
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Boehm, Cardozo, Coyle, Dasko, Deacon (Ontario), Dean, LaBoucane-Benson, Yussuff — [8]
ABSTENTIONS
NIL
It was agreed that clause 13.4 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 13.5 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 13.6 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 13.7 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 13.8 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 13.9 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 13.10 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 13.11 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 13.12 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 14 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 14.1 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 14.2 carry, on division.
The chair asked whether clause 15 shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Anderson moved that Bill C-21 be amended in clause 15, on page 34, by replacing line 3 with the following:
“15 (1) Paragraph (b) of the definition chief firearms officer in subsection 2(1) of the Firearms Act is replaced by the following:
“(b) in respect of a territory, the individual, resident in the territory of their designation, who is designated in writing as the chief firearms officer for the territory by the federal Minister, or
(2) Subsection 2(1) of the Act is amend-”.
Kellie Paquette and Robert Mackinnon answered questions from time to time.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Anderson, Boisvenu, Carignan, Dagenais, Deacon (Ontario), Plett, Richards — [7]
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Boehm, Cardozo, Coyle, Dasko, Dean, LaBoucane-Benson, Yussuff — [7]
ABSTENTIONS
NIL
At 7:05 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 7:18 p.m., the committee resumed.
It was agreed that clause 15 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 15.1 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 15.2 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 15.3 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 15.4 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 16 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 17 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 18 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 19 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 19.1 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 20 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 21 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 21.1 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 21.2 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 22 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 23 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 24 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 25 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 26 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 27 carry, on division.
The chair asked whether clause 28 shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Plett moved that Bill C-21 be amended in clause 28, on page 41,
(a) by replacing lines 8 and 9 with the following:
“57 (1) A chief firearms officer is responsible for issuing authorizations to carry and”;
(b) by replacing lines 11 and 12 with the following:
“(2) The chief firearms officer shall, within 150 days of receiving an application for an authorization to carry or an authorization to transport under paragraph 54(2)(a), do one of the following:
(a) issue the authorization to carry or the authorization to transport; or
(b) if the chief firearms officer decides to refuse to issue the authorization to carry or the authorization to transport under section 68, give notice of the decision, including reasons for the decision, to the applicant.
(3) The chief firearms officer, in providing reasons for a decision under paragraph (2)(b), need not disclose any information the disclosure of which could endanger the safety of any person.”.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Anderson, Boisvenu, Carignan, Dagenais, Plett, Richards — [6]
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Boehm, Cardozo, Coyle, Dasko, Deacon (Ontario), Dean, LaBoucane-Benson, Yussuff — [8]
ABSTENTIONS
NIL
It was agreed that clause 28 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 29 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 30 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 30.1 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 31 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 32 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 33 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 34 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 35 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 36 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 37 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 38 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 39 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 40 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 41 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 42 carry, on division.
The chair asked whether clause 43 shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Carignan moved that Bill C-21 be amended in clause 43, on page 49,
(a) by replacing line 22 with the following:
“handgun;”;
(b) by replacing line 35 with the following:
“plines; or
(c) is an instructor designated by the chief firearms officer to provide instructions in the use of firearms as part of a restricted firearms safety course that is approved by the federal Minister.”.
The question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Anderson, Boisvenu, Carignan, Dagenais, Deacon (Ontario), Plett, Richards — [7]
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Boehm, Cardozo, Coyle, Dasko, Dean, LaBoucane-Benson, Yussuff — [7]
ABSTENTIONS
NIL
The Honourable Senator Deacon moved that Bill C-21 be amended in clause 43, on page 49, by replacing lines 27 to 35 with the following:
“(i) that they are participating in a handgun shooting discipline,
(ii) the discipline in which they participate, and
(iii) that the handgun in question is appropriate and necessary for participating in that discipline.”.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Anderson, Boisvenu, Carignan, Dagenais, Deacon (Ontario), Plett, Richards — [7]
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Boehm, Cardozo, Coyle, Dasko, Dean, LaBoucane-Benson, Yussuff — [7]
ABSTENTIONS
NIL
It was agreed that clause 43 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 44 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 45 carry, on division.
The Honourable Senator Boisvenu moved that Bill C-21 be amended on page 51 by adding the following after line 28:
“45.1 The Act is amended by adding the following after section 119:
Reports to Parliament
119.1 (1) Within one year after the day on which this section comes into force, the federal Minister shall have a report laid before each House of Parliament that sets out a framework to
(a) reduce the incidence of violence involving the use of firearms in Canada; and
(b) ensure the accurate tracking of information relating to the commission of criminal offences involving the use of firearms in Canada.
(2) The federal Minister shall, on or before each anniversary of the date on which the report was laid before each House of Parliament under subsection (1), have a report laid before each House of Parliament that outlines the measurable progress being made towards the goals outlined in the framework.”.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Anderson, Boisvenu, Carignan, Dagenais, Plett, Richards — [6]
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Boehm, Cardozo, Coyle, Dasko, Deacon (Ontario), Dean, LaBoucane-Benson, Yussuff — [8]
ABSTENTIONS
NIL
At 8:01 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Ericka Dupont
Clerk of the Committee