Journals of the Senate
54 Elizabeth II, A.D. 2005, Canada
Journals of the Senate
1st Session, 38th Parliament
Issue 32
Tuesday, February 8, 2005
2:00 p.m.
The Honourable Daniel Hays, Speaker
The Members convened were:
The Honourable Senators
Adams, Angus, Atkins, Austin, Bacon, Baker, Banks, Biron, Bryden, Buchanan, Callbeck, Chaput, Christensen, Cochrane, Comeau, Cook, Cools, Corbin, Cordy, Day, Di Nino, Doody, Downe, Eyton, Ferretti Barth, Finnerty, Forrestall, Fraser, Furey, Gill, Gustafson, Harb, Hays, Hervieux-Payette, Hubley, Jaffer, Joyal, Kelleher, Kenny, Kinsella, Lapointe, Lavigne, LeBreton, Léger, Losier-Cool, Lynch-Staunton, Maheu, Mahovlich, Massicotte, Meighen, Mercer, Merchant, Milne, Moore, Murray, Nolin, Oliver, Pearson, Pépin, Phalen, Plamondon, Poulin (Charette), Poy, Prud'homme, Ringuette, Rivest, Robichaud, Rompkey, St. Germain, Sibbeston, Smith, Spivak, Stollery, Stratton, Tkachuk, Watt
The Members in attendance to business were:
The Honourable Senators
Adams, Angus, Atkins, Austin, Bacon, Baker, Banks, Biron, Bryden, Buchanan, Callbeck, Chaput, Christensen, Cochrane, Comeau, Cook, Cools, Corbin, Cordy, Day, *De Bané, Di Nino, Doody, Downe, Eyton, Ferretti Barth, Finnerty, Forrestall, Fraser, Furey, Gill, Gustafson, Harb, Hays, Hervieux-Payette, Hubley, Jaffer, Joyal, Kelleher, Kenny, *Keon, Kinsella, *Kirby, Lapointe, Lavigne, LeBreton, Léger, Losier-Cool, Lynch-Staunton, Maheu, Mahovlich, Massicotte, Meighen, Mercer, Merchant, Milne, Moore, Murray, Nolin, Oliver, Pearson, Pépin, Phalen, Plamondon, Poulin (Charette), Poy, Prud'homme, Ringuette, Rivest, Robichaud, Rompkey, St. Germain, Sibbeston, Smith, Spivak, Stollery, Stratton, Tkachuk, Watt
PRAYERS
SENATORS' STATEMENTS
Some honourable senators made statements.
DAILY ROUTINE OF BUSINESS
Introduction and First Reading of Government Bills
A Message was brought from the House of Commons with a Bill C-10, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (mental disorder) and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, to which it desires the concurrence of the Senate.
The bill was read the first time.
The Honourable Senator Rompkey, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Robichaud, P.C., 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.
Presentation of Petitions
The Honourable Senator Milne presented petitions:
Of Residents of Canada concerning the Statistics Act (census records).
SPEAKER'S STATEMENT
In respect of the exchange during question period between Senator LeBreton and Senator Austin, the Leader of the Government in the Senate, to clarify the point, I quote from Beauchesne's Parliamentary Rules & Forms, 6th Edition at page 151, paragraph 495(6):
A private Member has neither the right nor the obligation to table an official, or any other, document.
Having said that, it is the practice of the house to table documents with unanimous consent. However, there is no obligation on the part of Senator LeBreton to request it.
ORDERS OF THE DAY
GOVERNMENT BUSINESS
Bills
Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Second reading of Bill C-18, An Act to amend the Telefilm Canada Act and another Act.
The Honourable Senator Chaput moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Mercer, that the bill be read the second time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Tkachuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Stratton, 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 10 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator St. Germain, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator LeBreton, for the second reading of Bill S-16, An Act providing for the Crown's recognition of self-governing First Nations of Canada.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Watt moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Lavigne, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Second reading of Bill S-24, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (cruelty to animals).
The Honourable Senator Bryden moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Milne, that the bill be read the second time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Stratton moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator LeBreton, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Reports of Committees
Resuming debate on the consideration of the third report (first interim) of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology entitled: Mental Health, Mental Illness and Addiction: Overview of Policies and Programs in Canada, tabled in the Senate on November 23, 2004.
Debate concluded.
Orders No. 2 and 3 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Other
Orders No. 4 (inquiry), 78 (motion), 11, and 5 (inquiries) were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Kinsella seconded by the Honourable Senator Stratton:
That the Senate urge the government to reduce personal income taxes for low and modest income earners;
That the Senate urge the government to stop overcharging Canadian employees and reduce Employment Insurance rates so that annual program revenues will no longer substantially exceed annual program expenditures;
That the Senate urge the government in each budget henceforth to target an amount for debt reduction of not less than 2/7 of the net revenue expected to be raised by the federal Goods and Services Tax; and
That a message be sent to the House of Commons requesting that House to unite with the Senate for the above purpose.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Rompkey, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Losier-Cool, 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 Lavigne, seconded by the Honourable Senator Robichaud, P.C.:
That the Rules of the Senate be amended by adding after rule 135 the following:
135.1 Every Senator shall, after taking his or her Seat, take and subscribe an oath of allegiance to Canada, in the following form, before the Speaker or a person authorized to take the oath:
I, (full name of the Senator), do swear (or solemnly affirm) that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Canada.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Rompkey, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Losier-Cool, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 6 and 2 (inquiries) were called and postponed until the next sitting.
REPORTS DEPOSITED WITH THE CLERK OF THE SENATE PURSUANT TO RULE 28(2):
Report of the Canadian International Trade Tribunal entitled ``An Inquiry into the Availability of Domestic Textiles for the Production of Apparel in Canada'' dated December 2004, pursuant to the Canadian International Trade Tribunal Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 47 (4th Supp.), sbs. 19.011(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/38-354.
Summaries of the Corporate Plan for the period 2004-2005 to 2008-2009 and of the Capital and Operating Budgets for 2004-2005 of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/38-355.
Report on the Operation of the Canadian Multiculturalism Act for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004, pursuant to the Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 24 (4th Supp.), s. 8.—Sessional Paper No. 1/38-356.
Summaries of the Corporate Plan for the period 2004-2005 to 2008-2009 and of the Operating and Capital Budgets for 2004-2005 of the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/38-357.
ADJOURNMENT
The Honourable Senator Rompkey, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Losier-Cool:
That the Senate do now adjourn.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
(Accordingly, at 5:50 p.m. the Senate was continued until 1:30 p.m. tomorrow.)
Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 85(4)
Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights
The name of the Honourable Senator Chaput substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Ferretti Barth (February 7).
The name of the Honourable Senator Ferretti Barth substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Chaput (February 8).
Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources
The name of the Honourable Senator Gill substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Finnerty (February 7).
Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications
The name of the Honourable Senator Massicotte substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Chaput (February 7).
The name of the Honourable Senator Mercer substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Munson (February 8).
Special Senate Committee on the Anti-terrorism Act
The name of the Honourable Senator Smith substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Harb (February 7).
Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples
The name of the Honourable Senator Mercer removed from the membership (February 8).
Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce
The name of the Honourable Senator Banks substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Moore (February 8).