Debates of the Senate (Hansard)
Debates of the Senate (Hansard)
1st Session, 39th Parliament,
Volume 143, Issue 1
Monday, April 3, 2006
The Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, Speaker
THE SENATE
Monday, April 3, 2006
THIRTY-NINTH PARLIAMENT
OPENING OF FIRST SESSION
Parliament having been summoned by proclamation to meet this day for the dispatch of business:
The Senate met at 10:30 a.m.
Speaker of the Senate
Commission Appointing Honourable Noël A. Kinsella
The Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, having taken the clerk's chair, rose and informed the Senate that a commission had been issued under the Great Seal of Canada, appointing him Speaker of the Senate.
The said commission was then read by the clerk.
The Hon. the Speaker then took the chair at the foot of the Throne, to which he was conducted by the Honourable Marjory LeBreton, P.C., and the Honourable Daniel Hays, the Usher of the Black Rod preceding.
Prayers.
[Translation]
The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, under the Rules of the Senate, when the Speaker of the Senate wishes to make a statement, he may do so from his place in the Senate.
[English]
Therefore, honourable senators, pursuant to rule 55(3), at a subsequent sitting I shall leave the chair and rise in my place in the Senate in order to express my deep gratitude to my predecessor as Speaker, the Honourable Daniel Hays. Senator Hays undertook remarkable work during his tenure as our Speaker, and he has been generous with his guidance and wise counsel as I begin my term as Speaker.
(1040)
On a further procedural note, honourable senators will have observed that the long Westminster parliamentary practice of dragging a chamber member to the Speaker's chair has been maintained. This practice relates to an earlier time when the Speaker was often placed in harm's way as he brought before the Crown messages from Parliament that were not overly pleasing to the monarch. We are all familiar with the phrase "shoot the messenger." I trust that this earlier practice of a displeased sovereign has been well forgotten.
[Translation]
I want to thank you, honourable senators, for your kind words of congratulations.
[English]
It is a high honour that we all share in serving the people of Canada in this foundational and critically important House of Parliament.
[Translation]
Communication from Government House
The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I have the honour to inform you that I have received the following communication from Government House, which reads as follows:
RIDEAU HALL
March 20, 2006
Mr. Speaker
I am commanded to inform you that the Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, in her capacity as Deputy of the Governor General, will proceed to the Chamber of the Senate to open the First Session of the Thirty-ninth Parliament of Canada at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, the 3rd day of April, 2006.
Yours sincerely,
Barbara Uteck
Secretary to the Governor GeneralThe Honourable
The Speaker of the Senate
Ottawa
[English]
New Senator
The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I have the honour to inform the Senate that the clerk has received a certificate from the Registrar General of Canada showing that the Honourable Michael Fortier has been summoned to the Senate:
Introduction
The Hon. the Speaker having informed the Senate that there was a senator without, waiting to be introduced:
The following honourable senator was introduced; presented Her Majesty's writ of summons; took the oath prescribed by law, which was administered by the clerk; and was seated:
Hon. Michael Fortier, P.C., of the Town of Mount Royal, Quebec, introduced between Hon. Marjory LeBreton, P.C., and Hon. W. David Angus.
The Hon. the Speaker informed the Senate that the honourable senator named above had made and subscribed the declaration of qualification required by the Constitution Act, 1867, in the presence of the Clerk of the Senate, the Commissioner appointed to receive and witness the said declaration.
The Senate adjourned during pleasure.
(1100)
At 11:00 a.m. the sitting was resumed, and was then adjourned, pending the arrival of the Deputy of Her Excellency the Governor General.
[Translation]
The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, Deputy of Her Excellency the Governor General, having come to the Senate and being seated at the foot of the Throne,
The Hon. the Speaker commanded the Usher of the Black Rod to proceed to the House of Commons and acquaint that House that it is the desire of the Right Honourable the Deputy of Her Excellency the Governor General that they attend her immediately in the Senate chamber.
[English]
Who being come,
The Hon. the Speaker said:
Honourable Members of the Senate:
Members of the House of Commons:
I have it in command to let you know that Her Excellency the Governor General does not see fit to declare the causes of her summoning the present Parliament of Canada until the Speaker of the House of Commons shall have been chosen, according to law; but tomorrow, Tuesday, April 4, 2006, at the hour of three o'clock in the afternoon, Her Excellency will declare the causes of her calling this Parliament.
The House of Commons withdrew.
The Honourable the Deputy of Her Excellency the Governor General was pleased to retire.
[Translation]
The sitting was resumed.
Communication from Government House
The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I have the honour to inform the Senate that I have received a communication from Government House, which reads as follows:
RIDEAU HALL
April 3, 2006
Sir,
I have the honour to inform you that Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, and His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond will arrive at the Peace Tower at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, the 4th day of April, 2006.
When it has been indicated that all is in readiness, Their Excellencies will proceed to the chamber of the Senate to formally open the First Session of the Thirty-ninth Parliament of Canada.
Yours sincerely,
Barbara Uteck
Secretary to the Governor GeneralThe Honourable
The Speaker of the Senate
Ottawa
Adjournment
Hon. Gerald J. Comeau (Deputy Leader of the Government), with leave of the Senate and notwithstanding rule 59(1)(h), moved:
That when the Senate adjourns today, it do stand adjourned until Tuesday, April 4, 2006, at 3 p.m.
Motion agreed to.
The Senate adjourned until tomorrow at 3 p.m.