48 Elizabeth II, A.D. 1999, Canada

Journals of the Senate

2nd Session, 36th Parliament

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Issue 16

Monday, December 6, 1999
4:00 p.m.

The Honourable Gildas L. Molgat, Speaker

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The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

Andreychuk, Atkins, Bacon, Beaudoin, Berntson, Boudreau, Buchanan, Callbeck, Carstairs, Chalifoux, Christensen, Cohen, Comeau, Cook, Cools, Corbin, De Bané, Di Nino, Doody, Eyton, Fairbairn, Ferretti Barth, Finestone, Finnerty, Fitzpatrick, Forrestall, Fraser, Furey, Gill, Graham, Grimard, Hays, Johnson, Joyal, Kelleher, Kelly, Keon, Kinsella, Kirby, Losier-Cool, Lynch-Staunton, Maheu, Meighen, Mercier, Milne, Molgat, Moore, Murray, Nolin, Oliver, Pearson, Perrault, Perry (Poirier), Poulin (Charette), Prud'homme, Rivest, Robertson, Robichaud , (L'Acadie-Acadia), Robichaud , (Saint-Louis-de-Kent), Ruck, St. Germain, Simard, Spivak, Stollery, Tkachuk, Watt, Wilson

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

Andreychuk, *Angus, Atkins, Bacon, Beaudoin, Berntson, Boudreau, Buchanan, Callbeck, Carstairs, Chalifoux, Christensen, Cohen, Comeau, Cook, Cools, Corbin, De Bané, Di Nino, Doody, Eyton, Fairbairn, Ferretti Barth, Finestone, Finnerty, Fitzpatrick, Forrestall, Fraser, Furey, Gill, Graham, Grimard, Hays, Johnson, Joyal, Kelleher, Kelly, *Kenny, Keon, Kinsella, Kirby, Losier-Cool, Lynch-Staunton, Maheu, Meighen, Mercier, Milne, Molgat, Moore, Murray, Nolin, Oliver, Pearson, Perrault, Perry (Poirier), Poulin (Charette), Prud'homme, Rivest, Robertson, Robichaud , (L'Acadie-Acadia), Robichaud , (Saint-Louis-de-Kent), Ruck, St. Germain, Simard, Spivak, Stollery, Tkachuk, Watt, Wilson

PRAYERS

SENATORS' STATEMENTS

Some Honourable Senators made statements.

DAILY ROUTINE OF BUSINESS

Presentation of Reports from Standing or Special Committees

The Honourable Senator Kirby, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, tabled its Second Report (subject-matter of Bill C-6, An Act to support and promote electronic commerce by protecting personal information that is collected, used or disclosed in certain circumstances, by providing for the use of electronic means to communicate or record information or transactions and by amending the Canada Evidence Act, the Statutory Instruments Act and the Statute Revision Act, Part 1).-Sessional Paper No. 2/36-183S. The Honourable Senator Kirby, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, tabled its Third Report (subject-matter of Bill C-6, An Act to support and promote electronic commerce by protecting personal information that is collected, used or disclosed in certain circumstances, by providing for the use of electronic means to communicate or record information or transactions and by amending the Canada Evidence Act, the Statutory Instruments Act and the Statute Revision Act, Parts 2 to 5).-Sessional Paper No. 2/36-184S.

Presentation of Petitions

The Honourable Senator Milne presented petitions:

Of Residents of Canada concerning the Statistics Act (census records).

SPEAKER'S RULING

Before I call Orders of the Day, I am prepared to rule now on the question raised by the Honourable Senator Corbin with regard to the use of the word "minion" by the Honourable Senator Cools.

I wish to thank the Honourable Senator Corbin for having brought the matter before the Senate as the issue of comments made in this house or in the other place about each other or about the Governor General is important. As honourable senators, we must always be cautious never to use language that could in any way be considered offensive to persons in other high positions.

However, I have read carefully the comments of Senator Corbin in this matter. He quoted from the Concise Oxford Dictionary, 9th edition, about the meaning of the word "minion". While he did say it was used usually in a derogatory fashion, it does have other meanings.

I went to other dictionaries, notably the one we have here on our Table. I find that in this dictionary, the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, the word "minion", in most of the statements here, is considered to be a complimentary term. It is, first, a beloved object, darling or favourite; a lover or lady love; also a mistress or paramour; one specially esteemed or favoured; a favourite idol or a favourite of the sovereign. However, it does say "or servile defendant." Most of the statements are complimentary.

Therefore, I would rule that the term "minion" is not an offensive term in its general use. However, I repeat that we must be very cautious not to use offensive terms regarding other people or institutions of importance in our country.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

GOVERNMENT BUSINESS

Bills

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Kirby, seconded by the Honourable Senator Lewis, for the second reading of Bill C-6, An Act to support and promote electronic commerce by protecting personal information that is collected, used or disclosed in certain circumstances, by providing for the use of electronic means to communicate or record information or transactions and by amending the Canada Evidence Act, the Statutory Instruments Act and the Statute Revision Act.

After debate, The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Bill was then read the second time.

The Honourable Senator Kirby moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Poulin, that the Bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

 

Ordered, That Motion No. 22 standing in the name of the Honourable Senator Murray, P.C., be brought forward. The Honourable Senator Murray, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Beaudoin:

That it be an instruction to the Standing Senate Committee to which Bill C-6 will be referred: That they have the power to divide Bill C-6, An Act to support and promote electronic commerce by protecting personal information that is collected, used or disclosed in certain circumstances, by providing for the use of electronic means to communicate or record information or transactions and by amending the Canada Evidence Act, the Statutory Instruments Act and the Statute Revision Act, into two Bills; the first consisting of Part 1 and Schedule 1 with Titles and a coming into force clause and the second consisting of the remainder of the Bill and Schedules 2 and 3 with Titles; that any proceedings on the second Bill may stand postponed until after the consideration of the first Bill; that either Bill may be reported to the Senate as soon as it has been considered; and that, notwithstanding the usual practice, the Senate give this instruction at any time while the Bill is before the Senate, even after committee consideration of the Bill has commenced.

After debate, The Honourable Senator Kirby moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Poulin, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

Motions

Orders No. 1 and 2 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Reports of Committees

Consideration of the Second Report of the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs (Bill C-7, An Act to amend the Criminal Records Act and to amend another Act in consequence, with amendments) presented in the Senate on November 30, 1999.

The Honourable Senator Milne moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Chalifoux, that the Report be adopted.

After debate, The Honourable Senator Nolin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Beaudoin, 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

Orders No. 1 to 9 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Commons Public Bills

Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

Reports of Committees

Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting. Order No. 2 was called and postponed until the next sitting in the name of the Honourable Senator Stollery.

Other

Orders No. 9 (inquiry), 33, 5, 28 (motions) 8, 7, 6, and 2 (inquiries) were called and postponed until the next sitting.

ADJOURNMENT

The Honourable Senator Hays moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Robichaud, P.C. (L'Acadie-Acadia):

That the Senate do now adjourn.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

 

Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 85(4)

Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs

The name of the Honourable Senator Johnson added to the membership (November 29).

The name of the Honourable Senator Johnson removed from the membership (November 30).

Standing Committee on Privileges, Standing Rules and Orders

The name of the Honourable Senator Pépin removed from the membership (December 2).

Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Tech nology

The name of the Honourable Senator Poulin substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Pépin (December 3).

The names of the Honourable Senators Fairbairn and Finestone substituted for those of the Honourable Senators Finestone and Callbeck (December 6).

Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications

The names of the Honourable Senators Perrault and Maheu substituted for those of the Honourable Senators Poulin and Adams (December 3).

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