Journals of the Senate
55 Elizabeth II, A.D. 2006, Canada
Journals of the Senate
1st Session, 39th Parliament
Issue 6
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
1:30 p.m.
The Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, Speaker
The Members convened were:
The Honourable Senators
Adams, Andreychuk, Angus, Atkins, Austin, Bacon, Baker, Banks, Biron, Bryden, Callbeck, Campbell, Carney, Carstairs, Champagne, Chaput, Comeau, Cook, Cools, Corbin, Cordy, Cowan, Dallaire, Dawson, Day, Di Nino, Downe, Dyck, Eggleton, Eyton, Fairbairn, Forrestall, Fortier, Fox, Fraser, Furey, Goldstein, Grafstein, Gustafson, Harb, Hays, Hubley, Jaffer, Johnson, Kenny, Keon, Kinsella, Lapointe, Lavigne, LeBreton, Losier-Cool, Lovelace Nicholas, Mahovlich, Massicotte, Mercer, Merchant, Milne, Mitchell, Moore, Munson, Murray, Nancy Ruth, Nolin, Pépin, Peterson, Phalen, Pitfield, Plamondon, Poulin (Charette), Poy, Prud'homme, Ringuette, Rivest, Robichaud, Rompkey, Segal, Sibbeston, Smith, Spivak, Stratton, Tkachuk, Trenholme Counsell, Watt, Zimmer
The Members in attendance to business were:
The Honourable Senators
Adams, Andreychuk, Angus, Atkins, Austin, Bacon, Baker, Banks, Biron, Bryden, Callbeck, Campbell, Carney, Carstairs, Champagne, Chaput, Comeau, Cook, Cools, Corbin, Cordy, Cowan, Dallaire, Dawson, Day, Di Nino, Downe, Dyck, Eggleton, Eyton, Fairbairn, Forrestall, Fortier, Fox, Fraser, Furey, Goldstein, Grafstein, Gustafson, Harb, Hays, Hubley, Jaffer, Johnson, Kenny, Keon, Kinsella, *Kirby, Lapointe, Lavigne, LeBreton, Losier-Cool, Lovelace Nicholas, Mahovlich, Massicotte, Mercer, Merchant, Milne, Mitchell, Moore, Munson, Murray, Nancy Ruth, Nolin, Pépin, Peterson, Phalen, Pitfield, Plamondon, Poulin (Charette), Poy, Prud'homme, Ringuette, Rivest, Robichaud, Rompkey, Segal, Sibbeston, Smith, Spivak, Stratton, Tkachuk, Trenholme Counsell, Watt, Zimmer
PRAYERS
The Senate observed a minute of silence in memory of Corporal Matthew Dinning, Bombardier Myles Mansell, Lieutenant William Turner and Corporal Randy Payne whose tragic deaths occurred this past weekend while serving their country in Afghanistan.
SENATORS' STATEMENTS
Some Honourable Senators made statements.
DAILY ROUTINE OF BUSINESS
Presentation of Reports from Standing or Special Committees
The Honourable Senator Fairbairn, P.C., tabled the following (Sessional Paper No. 1/39-40S):
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry has the honour to table its
FIRST REPORT
Your Committee, which was authorized by the Senate to incur expenses for the purpose of its examination and consideration of such legislation and other matters as were referred to it, reports, pursuant to rule 104, that the expenses of the Committee during the First Session of the Thirty-eighth Parliament were as follows:
1. With respect to its special study into the issues related to the development and marketing of value-added agricultural, agri-food and forest products, on the domestic and international markets:
Professional and Other Services: $ 39.00 TOTAL: $ 39.00
2. With respect to its special study to hear from time to time witnesses, including both individuals and representatives from organizations, on the present state and the future of agriculture and forestry in Canada:
Transportation & Communications: $ 28,635.54 Professional and Other Services: 7,249.90 Witness Expenses: 13,475.76 TOTAL: $ 49,361.20
3. With respect to its studies on legislation:
All other expenditures: $ 65.00 TOTAL: $ 65.00
During the session under consideration, your Committee considered four orders of reference, held 27 meetings and received evidence from 79 witnesses over some 39.5 hours. Your Committee submitted 8 reports relating to its work.
Respectfully submitted,
JOYCE FAIRBAIRN
Chair
The Honourable Senator Banks tabled the following (Sessional Paper No. 1/39-41S):
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources has the honour to table its
FIRST REPORT
Your Committee, which was authorized by the Senate to incur expenses for the purpose of its examination and consideration of such legislation and other matters as were referred to it, reports, pursuant to rule 104, that the expenses incurred by the Committee during the First Session of the Thirty-eighth Parliament are as follows:
1. With respect to its examination and consideration of legislation:
Professional Services: $ 12,858.40 Transportation: — Other, Miscellaneous: —. TOTAL: $ 12,858.40 Witness expenses: $ 954.46
2. With respect to its study on issues relating to energy, the environment and natural resources:
Professional Services: $ 162,606.81 Transportation: 33,974.27 Other, Miscellaneous: 3,908.60 TOTAL: $ 200,489.68 Witness expenses: $ 5,466.13
Your Committee notes that witness expenses are not paid out of the budgets of individual committees.
During the First Session of the Thirty-Eight Parliament, your Committee reviewed five (5) bills (C-66, S-12, C-36, C-15, and C-7), conducted one special study, met 48 times, totaling 93 hours, tabled or presented a total of 13 reports, and heard 149 witnesses.
On October 19, 2004, your Committee received an order of reference to examine emerging issues related to its mandate. Under this order of reference, the Committee continued its study of specific aspects of the government's plans for implementing the Kyoto Protocol. In particular, the Committee chose to focus on the One-Tonne Challenge, sustainable development and water.
Respectfully submitted,
TOMMY BANKS
Chair
Introduction and First Reading of Senate Public Bills
The Honourable Senator Austin, P.C. presented a Bill S-212, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (tax relief).
The bill was read the first time.
The Honourable Senator Austin, P.C. moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Fraser, 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.
The Honourable Senator Bryden presented a Bill S-213, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (cruelty to animals).
The bill was read the first time.
The Honourable Senator Bryden moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Corbin, 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.
Tabling of Reports from Inter-Parliamentary Delegations
The Honourable Senator Milne tabled the following:
Report of the Canadian Delegation of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association, respecting its participation at the Parliamentary Mission to the Country that will hold the next European Union Presidency, held in Vienna, Austria, September 29 and 30, 2005, and its participation at the fourth part of the 2005 Ordinary Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, held in Strasbourg, France, from October 3 to 7, 2005.—Sessional Paper No. 1/39- 42.
Report of the Canadian Delegation of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association, respecting its participation at the meeting of the Political Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, held in Ottawa, Canada, from October 23 to 26, 2005.—Sessional Paper No. 1/39-43.
Report of the Canadian Delegation of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association, respecting its participation at the meeting of the Committee on Economic Affairs and Development of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, held in London, United Kingdom, January 19 and 20, 2006, and its participation at the first part of the 2006 Ordinary Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, held in Strasbourg, France, from January 23 to 27, 2006.—Sessional Paper No. 1/39-44.
ORDERS OF THE DAY
GOVERNMENT BUSINESS
Motions
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Champagne, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Segal:
That the following Address be presented to Her Excellency the Governor General of Canada:
To Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order of Canada, Chancellor and Commander of the Order of Military Merit, Chancellor and Commander of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada.
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY:
We, Her Majesty's most loyal and dutiful subjects, the Senate of Canada in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Excellency for the gracious Speech which Your Excellency has addressed to both Houses of Parliament.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Keon moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Comeau, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator LeBreton, P.C.:
That the proceedings on the Order of the Day for resuming the debate on the motion for the Address in reply to Her Excellency the Governor General's Speech from the Throne addressed to both Houses of Parliament be concluded on the eighth sitting day on which the order is debated.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
With leave of the Senate,
The Honourable Senator Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator LeBreton, P.C.:
That the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance be authorized to examine and report upon the expenditures set out in the Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2007, with the exception of Parliament vote 10.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
OTHER BUSINESS
Senate Public Bills
Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Second reading of Bill S-202, An Act to repeal legislation that has not come into force within ten years of receiving royal assent.
The Honourable Senator Banks moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Day, that the bill be read the second time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Cools moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Keon, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 3 to 8 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Other
Orders No. 3 and 7 (motions) were called and postponed until the next sitting.
With leave of the Senate,
The Honourable Senator Fairbairn, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Fraser:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry be authorized to hear from time to time witnesses, including both individuals and representatives from organizations, on the present state and the future of agriculture and forestry in Canada;
That the papers and evidence received and taken on the subject during the First Session of the Thirty-eighth Parliament be referred to the Committee; and
That the Committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than March 31, 2007.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
MOTIONS
The Honourable Senator Banks moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Baker, P.C.:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources be authorized to examine and report on emerging issues related to its mandate:
(a) The current state and future direction of production, distribution, consumption, trade, security and sustainability of Canada's energy resources;
(b) Environmental challenges facing Canada including responses to global climate change, air pollution, biodiversity and ecological integrity;
(c) Sustainable development and management of renewable and non-renewable natural resources including water, minerals, soils, flora and fauna;
(d) Canada's international treaty obligations affecting energy, the environment and natural resources and their influence on Canada's economic and social development;
That the papers and evidence received and taken during the First Session of the Thirty-eight Parliament be referred to the Committee; and
That the Committee report to the Senate from time to time, no later than June 30, 2007, and that the Committee retain until September 1, 2007, all powers necessary to publicize its findings.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Kenny moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Day:
That the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence have power to engage the services of such counsel and technical, clerical and other personnel as may be necessary for the purpose of its examination and consideration of such bills, subject-matters of bills and estimates as are referred to it.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Kenny moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Day:
That the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence be authorized to permit coverage by electronic media of its public proceedings with the least possible disruption of its hearings.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 4 p.m., pursuant to the order adopted by the Senate on April 6, 2006, the Senate adjourned until 1:30 p.m. tomorrow.
REPORTS DEPOSITED WITH THE CLERK OF THE SENATE PURSUANT TO RULE 28(2):
Summary of the Corporate Plan for 2006-2007 of the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada, pursuant to the Physical Activity and Sport Act, S.C. 2003, c. 2, s. 32.—Sessional Paper No. 1/39-38.
Report of the Canadian Wheat Board, together with the Auditors' Report, for the crop year ended July 31, 2005, pursuant to the Canadian Wheat Board Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-24, sbs. 9(2). —Sessional Paper No. 1/39-39.
Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to rule 85(4)
Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry
The name of the Honourable Senator Christensen substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Fraser (April 25).
Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce
The name of the Honourable Senator Mercer substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Massicotte (April 25).
Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources
The name of the Honourable Senator Tardif substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Adams (April 25).
Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence
The name of the Honourable Senator Moore added to the membership (April 25).