Journals of the Senate
55 Elizabeth II, A.D. 2006, Canada
Journals of the Senate
1st Session, 39th Parliament
Issue 9
Wednesday, May 3, 2006
1:30 p.m.
The Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, Speaker
The Members convened were:
The Honourable Senators
Adams, Angus, Atkins, Austin, Bacon, Baker, Bryden, Callbeck, Carstairs, Champagne, Cochrane, Comeau, Cook, Cools, Corbin, Cordy, Cowan, Dallaire, Dawson, Day, De Bané, Di Nino, Dyck, Eggleton, Eyton, Fairbairn, Fitzpatrick, Forrestall, Fortier, Fox, Furey, Gill, Goldstein, Grafstein, Gustafson, Harb, Hays, Hervieux-Payette, Hubley, Jaffer, Johnson, Joyal, Kenny, Keon, Kinsella, Lapointe, Lavigne, LeBreton, Losier-Cool, Lovelace Nicholas, Mahovlich, Massicotte, McCoy, Meighen, Mercer, Merchant, Milne, Mitchell, Moore, Munson, Murray, Nancy Ruth, Pépin, Phalen, Poulin (Charette), Poy, Prud'homme, Ringuette, Rivest, Robichaud, Rompkey, St. Germain, Segal, Sibbeston, Smith, Spivak, Stollery, Tardif, Tkachuk, Trenholme Counsell, Zimmer
The Members in attendance to business were:
The Honourable Senators
Adams, *Andreychuk, Angus, Atkins, Austin, Bacon, Baker, Bryden, Callbeck, Carstairs, Champagne, Cochrane, Comeau, Cook, Cools, Corbin, Cordy, Cowan, Dallaire, Dawson, Day, De Bané, Di Nino, Dyck, Eggleton, Eyton, Fairbairn, Fitzpatrick, Forrestall, Fortier, Fox, *Fraser, Furey, Gill, Goldstein, Grafstein, Gustafson, Harb, Hays, Hervieux-Payette, Hubley, Jaffer, Johnson, Joyal, Kenny, Keon, Kinsella, *Kirby, Lapointe, Lavigne, LeBreton, Losier-Cool, Lovelace Nicholas, Mahovlich, Massicotte, McCoy, Meighen, Mercer, Merchant, Milne, Mitchell, Moore, Munson, Murray, Nancy Ruth, Pépin, Phalen, Poulin (Charette), Poy, Prud'homme, Ringuette, Rivest, Robichaud, Rompkey, St. Germain, Segal, Sibbeston, Smith, Spivak, Stollery, Tardif, Tkachuk, Trenholme Counsell, Zimmer
PRAYERS
SENATORS' STATEMENTS
Some Honourable Senators made statements.
DAILY ROUTINE OF BUSINESS
Tabling of Documents
The Honourable the Speaker tabled the following:
Report of the Canadian Human Rights Commission for the year 2005, including the Report on Employment Equity, pursuant to the Canadian Human Rights Act, S. C. 1998, c. 9, sbs. 61(4) and the Employment Equity Act, S. C. 1995, c. 44, sbs. 32.—Sessional Paper No. 1/39-119.
The Honourable Senator Comeau tabled the following documents:
(1) Notice of Ways and Means motion to amend the Excise Tax Act, the Excise Act, 2001, the Excise Act and the Air Travellers Security Charge Act relating to the rate reduction for the GST and the federal component of the HST;
(2) Notice of Ways and Means motion to amend the Excise Tax Act, the Excise Act, 2001, the Excise Act and the Air Travellers Security Charge Act relating to other sales tax measures;
(3) Notice of Ways and Means motion to amend the Income Tax Act;
(4) "The Budget Speech 2006'';
(5) "The Budget in Brief 2006'';
(6) "Restoring Fiscal Balance in Canada'';
(7) "The Budget Plan 2006'';
(8) "Budget 2006: Overview'';
(9) "Budget 2006: Helping Individuals and Families''. —Sessional Paper No. 1/39-120
Presentation of Reports from Standing or Special Committees
The Honourable Senator Segal tabled the following (Sessional Paper No. 1/39-121S):
Wednesday, May 3, 2006
The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs 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 of the Rules, 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 and Other Services: $ 718.00 All Other Expenditures: 102.44 TOTAL: $ 820.44
2. With respect to its special study on issues relating to foreign relations in general:
Professional and Other Services: $ 2,733.23 Transportation and Communications: 15,120.14 TOTAL: $ 17,853.37
3. With respect to its special study on Africa:
Professional and Other Services: $ 6,756.57 Transportation and Communications: 208,153.47 Witness Expenses: 5,401.56 TOTAL: $ 220,311.60
4. With respect to its special study on the Performance Reports for the period ending March 31, 2004:
Professional and Other Services: $ 298.75 TOTAL: $ 298.75
During the session under consideration, your Committee considered seven (7) orders of reference, held thirty-nine (39) meetings, heard from one hundred and thirty-nine (139) witnesses and submitted nine (9) reports in relation to its work.
Your Committee examined two (2) bills and reported thereon without amendment.
Your committee travelled on a fact-finding visit to Africa from October 6 to 23, 2005, as well as to the head offices of the United Nations, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund from November 8 to 11, 2005.
Respectfully submitted,
HUGH SEGAL
Chair
ORDERS OF THE DAY
A Point of Order was raised concerning Question Period.
After debate,
The Speaker reserved his decision.
GOVERNMENT BUSINESS
Bills
Second reading of Bill C-4, An Act to amend An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act and the Income Tax Act.
The Honourable Senator Di Nino moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Keon, that the bill be read the second time.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The bill was then read the second time.
The Honourable Senator Di Nino moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cochrane, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Order No. 2 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Second reading of Bill S-2, An Act to amend the Hazardous Materials Information Review Act.
The Honourable Senator Cochrane moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Keon, that the bill be read the second time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Cowan moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Goldstein, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Ordered, That Motions No. 51 and 52 standing in the name of the Honourable Senator Milne on the Notice Paper be brought forward.
MOTIONS
The Honourable Senator Milne moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cook:
That the Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs 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.
The Honourable Senator Milne moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cook:
That the Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs have power to engage 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.
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 Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Forrestall, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
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):
Report on the Annual Summary of Steel Import Permit Information for the year 2005, pursuant to the Export and Import Permits Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 13 (3rd Supp.), s. 1.—Sessional Paper No. 1/39-113.
Report of the Military Police Complaints Commission for the year 2005, pursuant to the National Defence Act, S.C. 1998, c. 35, s. 82.—Sessional Paper No. 1/39-114.
Report of the Canadian Forces Grievance Board for the year 2005, pursuant to the National Defence Act, S.C. 1998, c. 35, s. 7. —Sessional Paper No. 1/39-115.
Report on Northern oil and gas for the year 2005, pursuant to the Canada Petroleum Resources Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 36 (2nd Supp.), s. 109.—Sessional Paper No. 1/39-116.
Report of the Canada Development Investment Corporation (including Canada Hibernia Holding Corporation), together with the Auditor General's Report, for the year ended December 31, 2005, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/39-117.
Report of the Canadian International Trade Tribunal entitled "Recommendation Regarding Tricots Liesse (1983) Inc. (Textured Filament Yarns of Nylon or Polyester)'', pursuant to the Canadian International Trade Tribunal Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 47 (4th Supp.), s. 19.—Sessional Paper No. 1/39-118.
Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 85(4)
Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples
The name of the Honourable Senator Peterson substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Banks (May 2).
Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce
The name of the Honourable Senator Di Nino substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Meighen (May 2).
Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs
The name of the Honourable Senator Downe substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Mercer (May 2).
Standing Senate Committee on National Finance
The names of the Honourable Senators Rompkey and Forrestall substituted for those of the Honourable Senators Harb and Stratton (May 2).
The name of the Honourable Senator Harb substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Biron (May 3).