THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL AFFAIRS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
EVIDENCE
OTTAWA, Wednesday, February 28, 2024
The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met with videoconference this day at 4:14 p.m. [ET] to consider Bill S-252, An Act respecting Jury Duty Appreciation Week; and in camera, to examine and report on such issues as may arise from time to time relating to social affairs, science and technology generally.
Senator Ratna Omidvar (Chair) in the chair.
[Translation]
The Chair: My name is Ratna Omidvar. I’m a senator from Ontario.
[English]
I am the Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology. I would like to begin by welcoming members of the committee, witnesses and members of the public watching our proceedings.
I ask my colleagues to go around the table and introduce themselves, starting with the deputy chair of the committee, Senator Cordy.
Senator Cordy: I am Jane Cordy, senator from Nova Scotia.
Senator Osler: I am Gigi Osler, senator from Manitoba.
[Translation]
Senator Cormier: René Cormier from New Brunswick.
Senator Moncion: Lucie Moncion from Ontario.
Senator Petitclerc: Chantal Petitclerc from Quebec.
[English]
Senator Burey: Sharon Burey, senator for Ontario.
Senator Dasko: Donna Dasko, senator for Ontario.
[Translation]
Senator Mégie: Marie-Françoise Mégie from Quebec.
[English]
The Chair: And just arriving is Senator Seidman.
Senator Seidman: Judith Seidman from Montreal, Quebec.
The Chair: We are beginning our meeting today with clause‑by-clause consideration of Bill S-252, An Act respecting Jury Duty Appreciation Week.
Before we begin, I would like to remind senators of a number of points. If, at any point, a senator is not clear where we are in the process, please ask for clarification. I want to always be absolutely clear that we are all on the same page as we proceed through this process.
As your chair, I will do my utmost to ensure that all senators wishing to speak have the opportunity to do so. For this, however, I will depend upon your cooperation, and I ask all of you to consider other senators and keep your remarks to the point and as brief as possible.
Finally, I wish to remind honourable senators that if there is ever any uncertainty as to the results of a voice vote or show of hands, the most effective route is to request a roll call vote, which, obviously, provides unambiguous results. Senators are also aware that any tied vote negates the motion in question.
Are there any questions on the process so far?
We are all used to this, so let’s proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill S-252.
Is it agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill S-252, An Act respecting Jury Duty Appreciation Week?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Shall the title stand postponed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Shall the preamble stand postponed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Shall clause 1, which contains the short title, stand postponed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Shall clause 2 carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Carried.
Shall clause 1, which contains the short title, carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Shall the preamble carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Shall the title carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Shall the bill carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Congratulations, Senator Moncion. It was an excellent process.
Does the committee wish to consider appending observations to the report? Yes, I have an observation.
The committee may proceed in camera to discuss the text of observations, so I suggest we go in camera. Agreed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: We will continue our meeting in camera.
(The committee continued in camera.)