Journals of the Senate
2nd Session, 41st Parliament
Issue 127
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
1:30 p.m.
The Honourable Leo Housakos, Speaker pro tempore
The Members convened were:
The Honourable Senators
Andreychuk, Baker, Batters, Bellemare, Beyak, Boisvenu, Campbell, Carignan, Chaput, Charette-Poulin, Cools, Cowan, Dagenais, Day, Downe, Doyle, Dyck, Eaton, Eggleton, Enverga, Fortin-Duplessis, Fraser, Frum, Furey, Gerstein, Greene, Hervieux-Payette, Housakos, Joyal, Kenny, Lang, LeBreton, MacDonald, Maltais, Manning, Marshall, Martin, McInnis, McIntyre, Merchant, Meredith, Mitchell, Mockler, Munson, Nancy Ruth, Neufeld, Ngo, Ogilvie, Oh, Patterson, Plett, Poirier, Raine, Ringuette, Runciman, Seidman, Sibbeston, Smith (Cobourg), Smith (Saurel), Stewart Olsen, Tannas, Tardif, Tkachuk, Unger, Wallace, Watt, White
The Members in attendance to business were:
The Honourable Senators
Andreychuk, Baker, Batters, Bellemare, Beyak, Boisvenu, Campbell, Carignan, Chaput, Charette-Poulin, Cools, Cowan, Dagenais, *Dawson, Day, *Demers, Downe, Doyle, Dyck, Eaton, Eggleton, Enverga, Fortin-Duplessis, Fraser, Frum, Furey, Gerstein, Greene, Hervieux-Payette, Housakos, *Johnson, Joyal, Kenny, Lang, LeBreton, MacDonald, Maltais, Manning, Marshall, Martin, *Massicotte, McInnis, McIntyre, Merchant, Meredith, Mitchell, Mockler, *Moore, Munson, Nancy Ruth, Neufeld, Ngo, Ogilvie, Oh, Patterson, Plett, Poirier, Raine, Ringuette, *Rivard, Runciman, Seidman, Sibbeston, Smith (Cobourg), Smith (Saurel), Stewart Olsen, Tannas, Tardif, Tkachuk, Unger, Wallace, Watt, *Wells, White
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
SENATORS' STATEMENTS
Some Honourable Senators made statements.
ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS
Presenting or Tabling Reports from Committees
The Honourable Senator Batters, Joint Chair of the Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations, tabled its fourth report (Report No. 89 - Vague and Subjective Time Periods).—Sessional Paper No. 2/41-1087.
Introduction and First Reading of Government Bills
A message was brought from the House of Commons with a Bill C-54, An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the financial year ending March 31, 2015, to which it desires the concurrence of the Senate.
The bill was read the first time.
The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator MacDonald, 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.
° ° °
A message was brought from the House of Commons with a Bill C-55, An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the financial year ending March 31, 2016, to which it desires the concurrence of the Senate.
The bill was read the first time.
The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator MacDonald, 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.
ORDERS OF THE DAY
GOVERNMENT BUSINESS
Bills — Third Reading
Third reading of Bill C-27, An Act to amend the Public Service Employment Act (enhancing hiring opportunities for certain serving and former members of the Canadian Forces).
The Honourable Senator Stewart Olsen moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Marshall, that the bill be read the third time.
After debate,
In amendment, the Honourable Senator Day moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Mitchell, that Bill C-27 be not now read a third time, but that it be amended in clause 12, on page 4, by replacing lines 34 and 35 with the following:
"person who, being a veteran,''.
The question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived.
The question then being put on the motion of the Honourable Senator Stewart Olsen, seconded by the Honourable Senator Marshall, for the third reading of Bill C-27, An Act to amend the Public Service Employment Act (enhancing hiring opportunities for certain serving and former members of the Canadian Forces), it was adopted, on division.
The bill was then read the third time and passed, on division.
Ordered, That a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that House that the Senate has passed this bill, without amendment.
° ° °
Third reading of Bill C-44, An Act to amend the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act and other Acts.
The Honourable Senator White moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dagenais, that the bill be read the third time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Mitchell moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Day, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
° ° °
Order No. 3 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Reports of Committees — Other
Consideration of the seventeenth report of the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance (First interim report on the Main Estimates 2015-2016), tabled in the Senate on March 24, 2015.
The Honourable Senator Day moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Mitchell, that the report be adopted.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
° ° °
Order No. 2 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Motions
Orders No. 93 and 94 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Inquiries
Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Other
Order No. 2 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
OTHER BUSINESS
Commons Public Bills — Third Reading
Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
° ° °
Third reading of Bill C-452, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (exploitation and trafficking in persons).
The Honourable Senator Boisvenu moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Batters, that the bill be read the third time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Fraser, for the Honourable Senator Jaffer, moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cowan, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Senate Public Bills — Reports of Committees
Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Commons Public Bills — Reports of Committees
Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Senate Public Bills — Second Reading
Orders No. 1 to 3 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
° ° °
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-224, An Act respecting National Seal and Seafood Products Day.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Maltais moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Fortin-Duplessis, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
° ° °
Order No. 5 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Commons Public Bills — Second Reading
Orders No. 1 to 6 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Reports of Committees — Other
Orders No. 1 to 4 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Motions
Orders No. 79, 62, 73, 8, 55, 9, 56, 60 and 66 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
° ° °
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Ringuette, seconded by the Honourable Senator Tardif:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce be authorized to examine and report on trade between the United States and Canada and the adherence to the laws and principles of all trade agreements, with particular focus on spent fowl and chicken imports, including:
(a) the application of tariffs and quotas on classifications that include blends, food preparation, kits, and sets, as well as the potential for these products to circumvent the law and principle of trade agreements, in particular import quotas;
(b) the regulations regarding import tariffs and quotas as established by the Department of Finance;
(c) the interpretation and application of those rules and regulations by the Canadian Border Services Agency;
(d) the monitoring of products defined as blends, food preparation, kits, and sets; and
(e) The reciprocity of US regulations regarding similar Canadian imports;
That the committee provide recommendations for regulatory and legislative actions to ensure fairness for Canadians in the system; and
That the committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than June 27, 2014, and retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings for 180 days after the tabling of the final report.
The Honourable Senator MacDonald moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Stewart Olsen, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Inquiries
Orders No. 17, 29, 47, 13, 19, 21, 28, 41, 44, 14, 42, 43, 20, 36, 27 and 45 called and postponed until the next sitting.
° ° °
Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Munson, calling the attention of the Senate to lighthouses as irreplaceable symbols of Canada's maritime heritage and monuments that enrich communities and the landscape of this country.
The Honourable Senator MacDonald moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Stewart Olsen, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
MOTIONS
The Honourable Senator Andreychuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Greene:
That, notwithstanding the orders of the Senate adopted on Thursday, November 21, 2013, and Thursday, June 12, 2014, the date for the final report of the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade in relation to its examination of security conditions and economic developments in the Asia-Pacific region, the implications for Canadian policy and interests in the region, and other related matters be extended from March 31, 2015, to September 30, 2015.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
° ° °
The Honourable Senator Andreychuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Greene:
That, notwithstanding the orders of the Senate adopted on Thursday, November 21, 2013, and Thursday, June 12, 2014, the date for the final report of the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade in relation to its examination of such issues as may arise from time to time relating to foreign relations and international trade generally be extended from March 31, 2015, to September 30, 2015.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
° ° °
The Honourable Senator Andreychuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Greene:
That, notwithstanding the order of the Senate adopted on Tuesday, September 23, 2014, the date for the final report of the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade in relation to its study on the potential for increased Canada-United States-Mexico trade and investment, including in growth areas in key resource, manufacturing and service sectors; the federal actions needed to realize any identified opportunities in these key sectors; and opportunities for deepening cooperation at the trilateral level be extended from March 31, 2015, to September 30, 2015.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
° ° °
The Honourable Senator Andreychuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Greene:
That the Senate take note of the following facts:
(a) Sergei Magnitsky, a Moscow lawyer who uncovered the largest tax fraud in Russian history, was detained without trial, tortured and consequently died in a Moscow prison on November 16, 2009;
(b) No thorough, independent and objective investigation has been conducted by Russian authorities into the detention, torture and death of Sergei Magnitsky, nor have the individuals responsible been brought to justice; and
(c) The unprecedented posthumous trial and conviction of Sergei Magnitsky in Russia for the very fraud he uncovered constitute a violation of the principles of fundamental justice and the rule of law; and
That the Senate call upon the government to:
(a) Condemn any foreign nationals who were responsible for the detention, torture or death of Sergei Magnitsky, or who have been involved in covering up the crimes he exposed;
(b) Explore and encourage sanctions against any foreign nationals who were responsible for the detention, torture or death of Sergei Magnitsky, or who have been involved in covering up the crimes he exposed; and
(c) Explore sanctions as appropriate against any foreign nationals responsible for violations of internationally recognized human rights in a foreign country, when authorities in that country are unable or unwilling to conduct a thorough, independent and objective investigation of the violations.
Debate.
At 4 p.m., pursuant to the order adopted by the Senate on February 6, 2014, the Senate adjourned until 1:30 p.m. tomorrow.
Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5
Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry
The Honourable Senator McIntyre replaced the Honourable Senator Dagenais (March 25, 2015).
Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce
The Honourable Senator Unger replaced the Honourable Senator Doyle (March 25, 2015).
Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources
The Honourable Senator Bellemare replaced the Honourable Senator Black (March 25, 2015).
Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans
The Honourable Senator Wells replaced the Honourable Senator Plett (March 25, 2015).
Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
The Honourable Senator Tannas replaced the Honourable Senator Lang (March 25, 2015).
Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
The Honourable Senator Hervieux-Payette, P.C., replaced the Honourable Senator Jaffer (March 25, 2015).
The Honourable Senator Munson was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (March 25, 2015).
Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology
The Honourable Senator Munson was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (March 25, 2015).
Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications
The Honourable Senator Maltais replaced the Honourable Senator Verner, P.C. (March 25, 2015).